This patient just switched from Big Pharmacy to Freedom Pharmacy. Here’s why
Kevin Kalled no longer buys his medication from Rite Aid or CVS, instead preferring to shop at a local, independent pharmacy. On Tuesday, he sat down with AFLDS Frontline News’ Yudi Sherman to explain why.
Freedom pharmacies are fast becoming the medical world’s new passion as they provide patients with real care instead of a drive-thru experience. After COVID-19 pulled the curtain back on the medical establishment, Big Pharmacy began to look more like Big Pharma and Big Tech, favoring backroom deals with insurance companies over upfront commitment to patients.
Now, patients are looking for pharmacies run by people who can’t be bought by insurance companies or a pandemic narrative. They’re seeking pharmacists who take pride in their title and give patients the medical consultation they require.
“I see the coordination that exists between these large pharmacy corporations such as CVS, those types of corporations, and they’re coordinating in a way that doesn’t seem to serve the people at the point of sale or the community,” said Kalled.
When you’re not serving your community, it leads to a negative experience, he said.
“So I have had negative experiences with the interface, the people who provide the pharmacy service in these corporations,” he continued. “In one instance, I had a very negative experience at one of these corporations and it became clear to me that something had changed over time and that these corporations were no longer serving their customers. More they were serving their own corporate interests.”
Kalled wanted more familiarity with his pharmacist.
“Back in the day, we knew our doctors, we knew our pharmacists, we knew everybody,” he recalled, and went on to say that that is no longer the case.
So, Kalled and his wife Donna transferred their meds to Crestwood Pharmacy in Albany, New York where the owner is a familiar face. They never looked back.
“We went to a local, independent pharmacist who’s had his own pharmacy for years. And he is personable, friendly, intelligent, informed, knowledgeable of his field, and that’s what I look for. So we're moving away from that whole corporate paradigm to get back to a more genuine paradigm, a local paradigm.”
Kalled worked as a courier for many years and would often drop off meds at Crestwood Pharmacy. So, when he was searching for a new place to get his medication, Kalled knew exactly where to go.
“It was a beautiful gift that was right there in front of me,” says Kalled.
Kalled also said he feels “absolutely” comfortable asking and talking to Crestwood Pharmacy owner Jay about his health. “I’m very satisfied, I’m very happy to know he’s quite competent. I have no concerns at all.”
When asked what he would say to patients who still shop at big pharmacies, Kalled told them to think about the service they could receive.
“You do better, you receive better service and better quality and a better relationship with the person that knows your background at a local pharmacy rather than a corporate pharmacy.”
