Manchester to lose another “local“ pharmacy

Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy in Clinton will close on Friday, Feb. 3.

by Marsha Chartrand

Just three and a half years ago, on July 19, 2019, Manchester residents learned that they would be losing their longtime local pharmacy. Despite much hard work to bring another pharmacy to the community, the building owners have not been successful in finding another to fill the vacant space on Main Street.

Many residents moved their prescriptions to Hometown Pharmacy in Chelsea, the parent company of the former Manchester Pharmacy. Others may have transferred to CVS, Walgreens, or even an online pharmacy with mail-order capacity. Some decided to travel to Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy in Clinton, which is a longtime family-owned business with three locations in Lenawee County.

Well, until this week.

Now, Clinton is facing a similar situation to what Manchester faced — this weekend, a sign appeared on the door at the Schmidt & Sons Pharmacy, stating that pressures on independent pharmacies by insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers has deeply impacted their business, along with others across the nation. These entities control patient access to independent pharmacies and continue to reduce reimbursements for the products and services these small businesses provide.

As of February 3, the Clinton pharmacy will close its doors and merge with the Tecumseh store, located at 120 E Chicago Blvd. The store plans to expand its delivery service to Clinton and Manchester customers starting February 6, 2023, and questions for the pharmacist can be directed to (517) 423-3250.

In July 2018 the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis released a study showing that between 2003 and 2018, 1,231 (or 16.1%) independently owned rural pharmacies in the United States closed. Additionally, 630 rural communities that had at least one retail (independent, chain, or franchise) pharmacy in March 2003 had no retail pharmacy in March 2018.

The study also found that residents of rural communities who have lost their pharmacy often have no choice but to travel to other communities to obtain prescriptions — a barrier for individuals with limited mobility. Mail-order services are frequently cited as a means for obtaining prescription service for isolated residents, but mail order cannot provide the benefits of face-to-face consultation or the same clinical services that are available from a local pharmacy.

Shopping local is essential to keeping small businesses vital — whether it is a pharmacy, a grocery store, a bank, a restaurant, a hardware, or a gift shop. These businesses, and the owners who likely know you by name, will appreciate your patronage and loyalty to the community in which you have chosen to live. These are important decisions and each of us make them every day by choosing where to shop. You may pay a slightly higher price for the product, but what is the real value of our time when we are forced to drive farther and farther away for what we used to be able to get right here in Manchester? Or just down the road in Clinton?

The letter on the door of the Clinton Schmidt & Sons concluded, “Our appreciation for the loyalty our Clinton pharmacy patients have shown us cannot be overstated. We hope you will continue to allow us to serve you for many years to come from our Tecumseh location.“

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.