Special services set chain apart

Fruth Pharmacy focused on improvements to its core pharmacy business in 2014.

While the company focuses on “good, old-fashioned service,” its pharmacy services are state-of-the-art.



“We’ve also been focusing on clinical aspects of the pharmacy and driving completion of MTMs and TIPS (Targeted Intervention Programs),” said Fruth president and chairman Lynne Fruth. “Our pharmacy system, PDX-EPS, has allowed us to integrate clinical and adherence programs, as well as CoverMyMeds to help with prior authorizations.”



The chain has achieved incremental prescription growth as a result of a major promotional push to enroll patients in its mobile app refill and pick-up reminders. More than 9,000 patients have enrolled in Fruth’s text-reminder service.



The company also has increased its television, radio and print advertising in 2014 and continues to expand its presence on social media with special offers, contests and human interest stories.



Last year, to help its home state fight the growing incidence of meth labs, the chain was the first in West Virginia to stop selling non-tamper resistant OTC pseudoephedrine products.



Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS soon followed Fruth’s lead to great success. “Today, 62% of the single ingredient PSE sold in West Virginia is tamper resistant, and West Virginia meth labs were down by 40%,” Fruth said. “Fruth Pharmacy, a small regional chain, led the way.”



The chain continues its efforts to reach its community through public health programs and immunizations. Last year, the company doubled its flu immunizations over 2013.



The company relocated and completely redesigned two stores last year and added diabetic sections to all stores to better merchandise a full array of offerings for patients with diabetes.



Several locations also were redesigned to better accommodate onsite clinic and Express Care programs the chain offers in partnership with local hospitals and mid-level providers.