Trailblazer for change makes every encounter count

Hometown Hero: Randy McDonough, Towncrest Pharmacy

I’m thrilled to introduce our next Hometown Hero, Randy McDonough of Towncrest Pharmacy. We had a few minutes to connect last month! Randy is a wealth of information, but here’s what this trailblazer had to say in our spotlight series…

Q: Tell us about yourself and Towncrest Pharmacy.

I’m the CEO and co-owner of Towncrest Pharmacy – we’re leading the change in transforming the pharmacy industry. With eight distinct practice locations, our innovative approach is disrupting traditional models and driving profitability.

Diversification is at the core of our vision. In addition to clinical services, which are compensated through value-based contracts or cash payments, Towncrest focuses on long-term care at home. By providing services and packaging, we’ve developed a successful model that offers better reimbursement.

A decade ago, non-dispensing revenue accounted for only 5% of our earnings. Today, that number has risen to an impressive 25%.

Q: We’re hoping to amplify the work of state pharmacy associations this year and beyond. What do you say to encourage your colleagues to join or to get involved?

You know, I used to brag, and wrongly so that I was apolitical. I just didn’t want to get involved in the advocacy aspect… you know that wasn’t my job. My job was to be a good pharmacist.

It wasn’t until we started seeing some reimbursement issues that I realized the importance of connecting with your legislators, regulators, and stakeholders that have an impact on this.

I encourage all pharmacists to join their state association as a minimum requirement as it provides a local support network and represents their interests at the state level. Community pharmacists need their own community.

I also suggest picking a national association, like the American Pharmacists Association! Associations play a crucial role in helping pharmacists improve their skills and knowledge, especially during times of practice evolution and transition.

Q: Your passion is clear, and you always have an inspiring message to fire us up. So, I would love to know who inspires you?

Eugene White. To this day, I mean, I will say that he's probably the person that's influenced me the most. He was a pharmacist way ahead of his time. I even wrote an article about his influence for Pharmacy Times in 2018.

Back in the 1960s he began experimenting with an office-based model in his community pharmacy. He inspired me to challenge the system and create a new model for community pharmacists.

It was clear to me that the pharmacist’s role was much more than product fulfillment. I envisioned a community practice where pharmacists participated in a collaborative effort with other health care providers to optimize patients’ therapeutic outcomes with safe and effective medications. In my vision, technicians were key to freeing up pharmacists by overseeing the dispensing functions.?

Q: Any final message you’d like to share with other community pharmacies?

We don’t have it all figured out. We’re still figuring it out and there’s still so much work to be done. Not everyone will embrace change or prioritize upgrading their skills and knowledge, but I believe those who are willing to transform and disrupt the profession are the ones who will demonstrate the value of pharmacy.

If pharmacists don’t step up to be the drug therapy expert—and really manage that aspect of patient care—someone is going to replace us. That’s where we really need to focus, and we need to do it with every single patient at every single encounter to make sure we’re maximizing their therapy. Make every encounter count.