A Fresh Approach

This May marks two years since Medic Pharmacy made its move to Bryant’s downtown area at the corner of Reynolds and Mills Park Roads. More space and more visibility have been good for the local business. The last time we spoke to owners Bryant and Claire Sizemore, they were excitedly anticipating the big move of the pharmacy that’s been serving the area for decades. No one could have predicted the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the challenges over the past two years, the business is thriving. And one thing never changed: their commitment to taking care of customers.

The Sizemores took over the pharmacy from longtime owners Pat and Janie Kauffman in 2017. They have welcomed the “newer, more functional workspace,” says Claire. “We’re so happy to be part of bringing the downtown area of Bryant back to life.”

Some great new businesses have opened in the Bryant Town Center next to the pharmacy, and Claire says they “love seeing them provide unique, local services to our community.”

As owners of such a longstanding community staple, the Sizemores have enjoyed the opportunity to foster and build genuine relationships with customers. The new space has further expanded this opportunity. 

“Our new building has attracted lots of new customers who didn’t notice Medic Pharmacy in its old location,” Claire notes, “and the drive-thru window has provided even more convenience for everyone.”

In the newer space, they also can carry a wider variety of products, such as medical equipment, breast pumps and lactation supplies, high-quality vitamins and nutrition supplements, and gift items.

Claire, a certified lactation counselor, has been especially enjoying her designated counseling room. She explains having such a space has allowed her to really connect to mothers and babies and fill the void in breastfeeding support for local women. She still offers lactation counseling via phone and text, but says she’s loved the chance to personally meet with moms and their babies.

“It allows me to get a good idea of how they are responding to each other, and teach skills to help them meet their breastfeeding goals. Supporting mamas is so essential for their success and wellbeing. A well cared-for mom can give her best to her baby.”

The lactation counseling services, as well as more common services such as filling prescriptions, haven’t stopped during the pandemic. “Our main response to the pandemic has been to ensure that there was no interruption in care for any of our customers,” Claire says.

“We took precautions for all our employees to continue safely working and filling the prescriptions that keep our patients healthy. We’ve also kept medications and vitamins readily available to those who need them for the treatment or prevention of COVID.

“As we start a new year with health in mind, the Sizemores encourage everyone to take control of his or her own health. The first step to this is being mindful of what you put into your body on a daily basis—food, drinks, medicines, supplements,” says Claire. Next is regular exercise, which is “so important for physical and mental health.” Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous or too time consuming. “Just a 30-minute walk can make such a difference if you do it consistently,” Claire notes. “Also, don’t hesitate to consult your pharmacist if you have concerns about your medications. Together, we can help you be your healthiest in 2022.”

The Sizemores met during pharmacy school at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Claire started working for Pat at Medic Pharmacy in 2012 after graduating from pharmacy school. Before entering pharmacy school, Bryant and Claire had been on different paths. Claire had been headed toward physical therapy, and Bryant to the world of dentistry. But as fate would have it, they couldn’t deny their pharmacy calling.

One of their biggest accomplishments since taking ownership of the business has been bringing it into the 21st century. It’s amazing what new software, a website and mobile app can do to make a business work better for its customers. Now, customers can access their records and communicate with their pharmacist from their smart phones. Getting that reminder text or email notification when a prescription is ready helps cut down on drive time for customers so they can plan their errands efficiently. 

Threats like big box pharmacies and insurance will always be a challenge to local pharmacies, Bryant has observed. What sets Medic apart and keeps them thriving is their attention to each customer. Things out of their control, like employers’ forcing their employees to use only certain chain pharmacies, will always exist. What they can control is their level of customer care.

Claire says providing something unique is important in order to thrive. “For us, I think those things are free delivery, a real live human answering every phone call, faces you recognize and who greet you by name when you walk in, a clerk running your prescriptions out to your car when it’s raining or when you have sleeping kids in the back, a monthly phone call reminder that it is time to fill your medicine, and an overall feeling that the Medic Pharmacy owners and employees care about your wellbeing.”

Medic Pharmacy has continued to provide superior service, even during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. They look forward to more success and growth in the years ahead.