Pledge to bring pharmacy services to Odebolt

Click for the Pledge Form

An informational meeting about Telepharm was held at the Odebolt Community Building on December 15. Telepharm is committed to delivering pharmacy services where they either don’t exist or are at risk of closing due to high costs associated with it. It is unique technology that enables them to put pharmacies in communities which couldn’t previously support one.

Telepharm reduces costs of operation for having a pharmacist available in an electronic form similar to skype. There would be a certified pharmacy tech available. Telepharm tries to hire local first. Then they widen their area further out until they find the right person. The pharmacy tech follows the same process as a normal pharmacy except when it comes to the pharmacist’s approval it is all done via computer and scanning. The pharmacist that is off sight will be approving the medications in the same process as usual they are just not physically there. Prescriptions are filled in the same manner as before; you go to your doctor and your doctor either writes a prescription, faxes, phones it in, or via computer orders to the pharmacy. It takes no longer than a usual pharmacy.

Some questions that were asked and answered were: Will they work with different insurance groups? The answer was they have been able to work with all insurance companies except for the insurance companies that restrict you to mail in only. Would someone be able to get specialty medications such as cancer medications? The answer, yes. What is the cost difference in medications from my usual pharmacy to Telepharm? The answer- Insurance companies set the rates of medications & they are comparable to CVS, Walgreens, & Wal-Mart. Will there be over the counter medications? Yes but the cost of those will not be as competitive. Can there be cards or other things sold in the store? They would consider this as long as it would not compete with any other local business in town. What would the hours be? This hasn’t been set yet but usual pharmacy hours M-F 9-630 or 7pm with Sat open until 12 or 1pm.

The cost of starting a pharmacy is around $150,000 to $200,000. Telepharm is asking that the community show that they will be supportive in the amount of $50,000 total. This can be in the form of providing a building for use and a portion of that being so many months or years rent free or monetary donations. The City of Odebolt has put down a $10,000 deposit towards the pharmacy in hopes that at least half of the remaining balance can be raised by the community. If you have other ideas of how to make this work please let the City know.  If enough funds are not raised or pledges received in the due diligence period the City of Odebolt will not be able to proceed with the addition of a pharmacy to Odebolt.

If 50-100 people pledged $10-20 per month over a couple years this could be a possibility. Please consider either pledging or doing a one-time donation. Receipts can be given for tax deduction. Pledge forms are available at City Hall, by email (odebolt@netins.net) requesting one, via fax, and from our web page at www.odebolt.net.

Please fill out your pledge form soon so that the City Council can determine if they should proceed or not. If or when the pharmacy is in place and making a profit, 20% of that profit will go back into the community in an endowment which can be used for things like pool repairs, streets, major/minor ball programs, or matching funds towards grants for anything community related.

Click for the Pledge Form