ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE live, work, play mon valley Benefits of Using Hometown Pharmacies By Van Mitchell Rudy Medved knows independent pharmacies are becoming a rare breed, while some have stood the test of time, and the challenges that come its way. According to U.S. News & World Report, more than 16 percent of rural and small-town pharmacies closed from 2003 to 2018, as sweeping changes hit the healthcare industry. Medved's Pharmacy, located at 1536 McKean Ave., Charleroi, PA is one of those independent pharmacies, having been in business since the 1940s, with Medved owning it since 1991. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed Sunday. Medved's Pharmacy was recently named as the community's Best Pharmacy by Observer-Reporter readers. "We have been in the running for a few years, and it is nice to win," said Medved, who started working at the pharmacy in 1978. Medved said being able to offer flexible pricing has been a key factor in helping independents like him stay in business. "The chains have a set price, and they can't be that flexible," he said. "I can be flexible with my prices. They are looking to make profits of 50, 60 or 80 percent. If I can keep a customer and make 10 percent profit, that is okay. I can live with that. And it makes the patient happy." Medved said that price flexibility includes finding cheaper generic drugs versus a patient paying more for brand names. "If we can switch a customer from a brand to a generic one, it will save them money," he said. "You can probably get a better deal with an independent than you would with a chain. That is what is keeping us in business longer with better prices." Medved said insurance has become more challenging for customers, and independent pharmacies. He often finds opportunities to help his customers understand their insurance coverage and options - something that's become more confusing as the healthcare landscape has changed. "The insurances are more competitive," he said. "When I started, there were probably six insurances out there that covered prescriptions. Now there are 40. 'sc *2023* BEST OF THE FIRST PLACE Observer-Reporter Our MEDVED'S PHARMACY There are so many varieties. A lot of my customers are on Medicare." Medved said Medved Pharmacy offers free delivery for medication. "We do free delivery within a 10-mile radius," Medved said. "Senior citizens and parents with young kids may have a hard time getting out. This makes it a lot easier for them." Delivery isn't the only personalized service you'll find Medved offering his customers. The pharmacy also provides blister packs that group medications into doses for those taking several prescriptions. "You just tear off a pack and take the dose. It's convenient for travel and a good way to know you didn't miss your dose," Medved said. Medved's Pharmacy also provides carry charges, allowing extra time to pay for prescriptions for customers who need it. In addition to the service they have offered for decades, Medved said they have dedicated themselves to offering products that the community wants/needs. This is what led to Medved's Pharmacy to now offer CBD products and cosmetic items For Medved, the most rewarding part of owning an independent pharmacy is the daily interaction with his fellow community members. After more than 40 years in the same store, Medved is now serving grandchildren of the pharmacy's original customers. "The customers are friends, none of my customers are strangers," he said. "They are all like family. Most of these people I have known for 40 years. I know their children and their grandchildren." Medved said personal customer service is important to him. "I take time with the patients so they can talk with me," he said. "If they have questions, I will answer anything that they want to know. They know they can call me if they have problems. We go the extra mile to ensure you receive the friendly service, low prices and pharmacy expertise you deserve. We offer great hometown service to our customers and welcome new ones all the time. It is more of a personal touch." Medved joked that he has been in business so long that some customers worry that retirement might be in his near future. He said he has no plans to do so. "Not for a while yet," he said. "It has been a joy to work with these people through the years. I enjoy it." For more information, call 724-483-6589. This article is brought to you by Medved's Pharmacy. MEDVED'S 040 PHARMACY Medved's Pharmacy is located 1536 McKean Ave., Charleroi, PA. For more information. call 724-483-6589. ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE live , work , play mon valley Benefits of Using Hometown Pharmacies By Van Mitchell Rudy Medved knows independent pharmacies are becoming a rare breed , while some have stood the test of time , and the challenges that come its way . According to U.S. News & World Report , more than 16 percent of rural and small - town pharmacies closed from 2003 to 2018 , as sweeping changes hit the healthcare industry . Medved's Pharmacy , located at 1536 McKean Ave. , Charleroi , PA is one of those independent pharmacies , having been in business since the 1940s , with Medved owning it since 1991 . Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday , and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays , and closed Sunday . Medved's Pharmacy was recently named as the community's Best Pharmacy by Observer - Reporter readers . " We have been in the running for a few years , and it is nice to win , " said Medved , who started working at the pharmacy in 1978 . Medved said being able to offer flexible pricing has been a key factor in helping independents like him stay in business . " The chains have a set price , and they can't be that flexible , " he said . " I can be flexible with my prices . They are looking to make profits of 50 , 60 or 80 percent . If I can keep a customer and make 10 percent profit , that is okay . I can live with that . And it makes the patient happy . " Medved said that price flexibility includes finding cheaper generic drugs versus a patient paying more for brand names . " If we can switch a customer from a brand to a generic one , it will save them money , " he said . " You can probably get a better deal with an independent than you would with a chain . That is what is keeping us in business longer with better prices . " Medved said insurance has become more challenging for customers , and independent pharmacies . He often finds opportunities to help his customers understand their insurance coverage and options - something that's become more confusing as the healthcare landscape has changed . " The insurances are more competitive , " he said . " When I started , there were probably six insurances out there that covered prescriptions . Now there are 40 . ' sc * 2023 * BEST OF THE FIRST PLACE Observer - Reporter Our MEDVED'S PHARMACY There are so many varieties . A lot of my customers are on Medicare . " Medved said Medved Pharmacy offers free delivery for medication . " We do free delivery within a 10 - mile radius , " Medved said . " Senior citizens and parents with young kids may have a hard time getting out . This makes it a lot easier for them . " Delivery isn't the only personalized service you'll find Medved offering his customers . The pharmacy also provides blister packs that group medications into doses for those taking several prescriptions . " You just tear off a pack and take the dose . It's convenient for travel and a good way to know you didn't miss your dose , " Medved said . Medved's Pharmacy also provides carry charges , allowing extra time to pay for prescriptions for customers who need it . In addition to the service they have offered for decades , Medved said they have dedicated themselves to offering products that the community wants / needs . This is what led to Medved's Pharmacy to now offer CBD products and cosmetic items For Medved , the most rewarding part of owning an independent pharmacy is the daily interaction with his fellow community members . After more than 40 years in the same store , Medved is now serving grandchildren of the pharmacy's original customers . " The customers are friends , none of my customers are strangers , " he said . " They are all like family . Most of these people I have known for 40 years . I know their children and their grandchildren . " Medved said personal customer service is important to him . " I take time with the patients so they can talk with me , " he said . " If they have questions , I will answer anything that they want to know . They know they can call me if they have problems . We go the extra mile to ensure you receive the friendly service , low prices and pharmacy expertise you deserve . We offer great hometown service to our customers and welcome new ones all the time . It is more of a personal touch . " Medved joked that he has been in business so long that some customers worry that retirement might be in his near future . He said he has no plans to do so . " Not for a while yet , " he said . " It has been a joy to work with these people through the years . I enjoy it . " For more information , call 724-483-6589 . This article is brought to you by Medved's Pharmacy . MEDVED'S 040 PHARMACY Medved's Pharmacy is located 1536 McKean Ave. , Charleroi , PA . For more information . call 724-483-6589 .