The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has started a national advertising campaign to encourage consumers to consider independent pharmacies instead of large chain stores or mail-order services. The campaign, which will run on major television networks such as CNN, Fox News, HGTV, TBS, and TLC over the next two weeks, will later expand to local cable channels, streaming platforms, social media, and online outlets.
“Corporate pharmacies treat patients like numbers. We want Americans to rediscover their local, family-owned pharmacy, where they will get a much better experience and state-of-the-art health care,” said Kristen Riddle, NCPA president. “We also want people who may have been abandoned by their corporate pharmacy due to closures or poor service to know they don’t have to be herded into a mail-order relationship. There’s a local alternative nearby, and we want to help them find it.”
One commercial in the campaign uses satire by showing customers praising negative aspects of chain pharmacies such as inconsistent hours and unhelpful automated phone systems. Another ad highlights problems with mail-order pharmacies like incorrect deliveries and late prescriptions. These scenes are contrasted with positive experiences at independently owned community pharmacies.
All advertisements direct viewers to the NCPA website's pharmacy locator tool so they can find an independent pharmacy in their area.
“There are nearly 19,000 independent community pharmacies across the country, and there’s a very strong chance there’s one very close to you,” said Riddle. “We want Americans to know that independent pharmacies were treating patients long before the box stores, and long before mail order, and we’re still here to give you and your family the health care experience you deserve.”
NCPA represents more than 18,900 pharmacies nationwide that employ over 235,000 people. Independent community pharmacies are known for being accessible healthcare providers within their communities.
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