ALDERSON W.Va. (Hinton News) – Fritz’s Pharmacy, a staple in Greenbrier and surrounding counties for four decades, will permanently close its doors on July 31. Owner Fritz announced the difficult decision, citing financial impossibilities largely due to reimbursement policies from major Medicare D providers.
In a letter shared with the community, Fritz expressed gratitude for the support received over the past 40 years, acknowledging “the opportunity, the guidance, and great and dedicated employees…… all of which I will be forever grateful.”
However, he noted that the “pharmacy business has become a commodity, not a service,” explaining a significant reduction in profits from prescriptions. He detailed losses ranging from approximately 20% on certain prescriptions (up to $40 on inhalers and insulins) to less than $1 or $5 on others, and only a $10 profit on mostly WV Medicaid prescriptions.
Fritz stated that his “40+ years of experience” in the field proved “futile” in his attempts to keep the small-town pharmacy open, leading to frustration and disappointment, particularly due to the practices of Humana, Aetna, and other Medicare D providers.
To ensure continuity of care, all prescription information and inventory from Fritz’s Pharmacy will be transferred to Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy in Fairlea on Friday, Aug. 1. Prescriptions will then be available for pickup starting Monday, Aug. 4, at the new location.
For customers with prescriptions due in the last week of July, Fritz advises calling Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy on Monday or Tuesday to arrange pickup on Wednesday (July 30) or Thursday (July 31).
Rick Leatherman, RPh, a Ferrum College graduate hired by Fritz in the mid-1990s, has agreed to fill prescriptions at Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy, promising the “same ‘hometown’ service.” Pharmacy staff members Jake and Priscilla will also be at the new location to assist with the transition. The new phone number for Greenbrier Medical Arts Pharmacy is 304-647-5121.
The closure is being felt as a “huge loss for the community.”
