Broadway Prescription Shop in National Magazine

Broadway Prescription Shop in Cape Girardeau is the featured cover story on this month's America's Pharmacist magazine, a national publication distributed to every independent community pharmacy in the country, going to more than 23,000 locations. Not only does the article feature a Cape Girardeau business, it mentions Southeast Missouri State University and our local chamber of commerce. It also gives credit to the pharmacy's original owner, Homer George, for establishing National Poison Prevention Week, now more than fifty years old, right here in Cape Girardeau.

When the magazine's editor, Chris Linville, was approached by Write Results Marketing with the story idea, he was intrigued by the longevity of the pharmacy and the impressive turnaround Broadway Prescription Shop has experienced in just two years under the ownership of Lee Schlitt and Pharmacist Kevin Wood. In fact, the headline Linville gave the article puts "Broadway Back on the Big Stage!" and emphasizes the innovative ideas Schlitt and Wood have implemented and the risk they took in purchasing the pharmacy. The article explains, "Sales had dropped 90 percent; it was in foreclosure and only days away from closing when Schlitt and Wood acquired the business in 2011. Getting the pharmacy off life support was the first priority."

Wood adds, "When I think about the situation the place was in when we bought it--to be honest we didn't know what to expect. There were a lot of fires to put out, and we were basically trying to get things back on solid footing. I believe we're just now in a situation where we can look toward the future, versus trying to get things back in working order."

Some of the technological improvements mentioned in the article include upgrading the fifteen-year-old computer system, including a point-of-sale system, and adding a robot to fill bottles. Recently, the pharmacy enhanced its online refill capabilities and launched a refill app that can be downloaded through www.BroadwayPharm.com. Schlitt explains, "This app offers so much more to our clients than just an easy way to refill a prescription. It helps keep track of everything they are taking, when all prescriptions need refilling or require a call to the doctor; they can see any possible side effects. It's just a very helpful tool in medication management."

The pharmacy's commitment to personalized care is also demonstrated through mention of many extra services offered free of charge. These include the Personal Pack, a weekly bubble-pack containing all medication by dose (even vitamins), Simplify My Meds, in which the pharmacy manages refills so the customer never has to worry about them, compounded prescriptions customized in a liquid, gel or any form that is easiest for the patient to take, the pharmacy's Long-Term Care division to accommodate the aging population, and their expansion into HIV pharmacotherapy.

Wood and Schlitt say they are delighted with the national recognition, which follows a string of local accomplishments for the new owners. Last year Broadway Prescription Shop was voted as the People's Choice for Best Community Pharmacy and earned the Business of Excellence award from Old Town Cape.