Oaklawn to open new pharmacy

This fall, Oaklawn will open a new retail pharmacy at 310 E. Michigan Ave. inside the back of the Brooks Building in downtown Marshall, which was formerly the dialysis center location. In light of the expected closing of Rite Aid in Marshall, Oaklawn believes there is definitely a need for a new pharmacy.

Oaklawn Director of Pharmacy Gregg Russell said he is excited that the new pharmacy will open this fall stated that his department is “looking forward to helping the community with their pharmaceutical needs.”

Pharmacist Joe Young, who has been at Oaklawn for 14 years, said he and the Oaklawn team are in the process of moving the existing outpatient pharmacy from inside the hospital to the new location as soon as Oaklawn receives the appropriate licenses, approvals and insurance credentials.

“We are considered a new pharmacy when we move to the new location,” said Young. “Everything has to be in place – the computers have to be working, we have to be fully stocked with vials, labels, and anything else that we would need other than the actual pharmaceuticals in order to  pass inspection by the state of Michigan.”

At that point, he added, “Oaklawn can then get approval from the DEA for narcotic licensing and after that is done we can start contracting with pharmaceutical benefit managers. It’s a step-by-step process and some steps may take longer than others.”

Access to outpatient pharmacy services is currently limited to Oaklawn employees and their families, as well as Oaklawn Hospice and inpatients that are uninsured or under insured.

“This new pharmacy will be a true retail operation,” said Young, who noted that the new location will offer the basics: prescription services, over the counter medications that help treat pain, fever, cough and cold, allergies, etc. Other health-related items will also include health care equipment and blood glucose monitors.

“Eventually we plan to add more merchandise and services and be accessible to anyone in the community and surrounding areas,” he said. “Our goal is to become a full-service pharmacy contracting with as many insurance providers as possible.”

Oaklawn’s commitment is to offer high-quality products, expert advice and personalized care to each of its valued customers by providing easy prescription refills, transfers and management so you can easily refill prescriptions online anytime, anywhere.

The pharmacy will also offer medication counseling and consultations; professional advice to help patients understand and manage their medications effectively.

Oaklawn’s team of highly trained pharmacists and technicians is here to provide expert advice and support, empowering people with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions.

Noted Oaklawn President and CEO Gregg Beeg: “Accessible care is a part of Oaklawn’s mission and with the expected closure of a local pharmacy, our new pharmacy will fill a critical need, ensuring that our patients continue to have convenient access to their medications and additionally, making essential medications more accessible and affordable to our community.”