Aspire Rx owner Hetal Chudasama. (Photo by Mike Lyons/West Philly Local)
A few months ago we wrote about the new independently owned pharmacy that opened right across the street from CVS on Locust Street near 43rd. The store’s location raised some eyebrows. So this week we decided to check back in to see how things were going at Aspire.
Aspire’s owner, Hetal Chudasama, knows better than most the risk she took in locating across the street from the big box behemoth. She managed CVS’s pharmacy for a few years and began working there in 2002.
“I’ve taken all of the things I’ve seen over the years and made them better,” Chudasama said.
While the pharmacists at CVS focus on quantity, a sort of churn-and-burn style of filling prescriptions, Chudasama slows the process of getting medication down to make sure patients get what they need.
“My number one thing is to talk to the patient and give them my time,” she said.
Aspire is one of a growing number of independently owned pharmacies popping up in small towns and big cities across the country. While in the 1970s and 1980s most pharmacies in the country were independently owned, the number started to nose-dive in the 1990s as big-big box stores like CVS and Rite Aid began to dominate the market. Even Wal-Mart and Target got into the pharmacy game as a way to get customers into the stores.
But independents are making a comeback, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association. Reasons for the increase include a tough job market for retail pharmacists leading to more willing to take a chance on their own business.
Example of a blister pack. (Photo courtesy of Aspire Rx)
Chudasama offers the kind of personalized service that most independents do – but places like CVS don’t. Aspire delivers prescriptions for free. Chudasama also assembles medication in specially designed blister packages that group multiple medications by days of the week, making it much less likely that patients will not take all of their required pills. She also works closely with physicians. These are things that CVS pharmacists simply don’t have time to do, she says.
“I went to school to be a pharmacist, not to just stand and count pills,” said Chudasama.
Switching prescriptions from a big box pharmacy to Aspire is as easy as making a phone call. And if you stop by on a hot day, chances are good that you can get a cup of cold lemonade. You’ll have to pay for that at CVS.
– Mike Lyons
May 30th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
anyone know anything about the new, would-be pharmacy on 46th and Woodland??
October 2nd, 2013 at 4:56 pm
@bce6b83ac5f785655a7aaa7804d3c0c5:disqus . The New Pharmacy on that location described just opened
May 30th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
I hope her business succeeds, but, seriously, is this blog post a paid advertorial?
May 30th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
Fair point Thos. We don’t do advertorials – no one paid for this story. We felt that we kind of jumped the gun in the first post we did about this place before they had a chance to explain their strategy and purpose. We just kind of mocked them for moving across from CVS. Plus, we have seen more independent pharmacies opening around the city and we wanted to get their take on that. That’s not to say they may not advertise at some point in the future.
Also, we like to support local businesses. No shame in that.
May 30th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
You learn something new every day! I just Googled “advertorials” lol. Cool story.
May 30th, 2013 at 4:35 pm
Interesting take on pharmacy!
May 30th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
“Chudasama slows the process of getting medication down”
That would be wonderful if I were the only person in the store. Otherwise, I would not be too pleased.
May 30th, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Based on the original article that was posted some months ago, I walked down to Aspire on my way back from my daughter’s daycare. I met the Pharmacist, her husband, and super cute baby. After chatting with them, I transferred my prescriptions from CVS. I wanted to support a local business, I was pleased to see it was woman owned and operated (gotta give props to that), and the family involvement in the business was nice to see. I have been at Aspire two months and so far I am pleased. And as a side note, right next door is Cafe Renata…they have an awesome grilled chicken and salad dish for dinner that is lovely! Meds and dinner- fun!