For 14 years, PHI Pharmacy has provided prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, counseling and health care information to patients here in the CNMI.
As PHI Pharmacy celebrates its 14th anniversary, owner and pharmacist Bruce A. Cohen takes pride in the fact that they have already expanded their services.
“We just continue to grow and provide more services, more information,” says Cohen.
According to Cohen, PHI Pharmacy has expanded its services to medical equipment, supplies for physicians' offices as well as any request that people have for medically related supplies.
The growth of PHI Pharmacy doesn't end with being the supplier for majority of the clinics on island. “Pharmacy is not only providing pharmaceuticals but also information. That's the main thing about a pharmacist: providing information that's accessible,” says Cohen.
Educational programs
A significant component of PHI Pharmacy's development is the various educational programs they have on their own and in conjunction with patients as well as outside organizations.
As a diabetes center, Cohen says PHI Pharmacy works very closely not only with patients diagnosed with diabetes but also with renal dialysis patients.
PHI Pharmacy has taken a didactic approach in dealing with these patients by creating brochures about different medical conditions such as gout, asthma, hypertension, diabetes, even betel nut use.
These informative brochures discuss what the condition is about, its symptoms, significance of lifestyle change and diet to the person suffering from the condition, and pertinent details such as drug information.
“Doctors [on Saipan] actually use these as learning tools for educating their patients,” says Cohen about the brochures.
The brochures were a collaborative project between PHI Pharmacy and the College of Pharmacy of the University of Hawaii Hilo campus.
Intern site
Aside from the brochures, both the pharmacy and the university have teamed up in another endeavor. The College of Pharmacy of the University of Hawaii has certified PHI Pharmacy as an intern site. Through this collaboration, the college sends two interns to serve on Saipan through PHI Pharmacy as a requisite before they are able to obtain their degrees.
According to Cohen, they get two interns that work in their pharmacy and do community outreach activities in a six-week interval.
“The whole idea of this pharmacy in Hawaii is to supply pharmacists in Pacific Basin, including the CNMI,” says Cohen, describing the partnership between the two entities as “very strong.”
At present, Erika Miyahira and Danita Henley are the fourth year pharmacy interns that also conduct a free seminar every Wednesdays at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library called Hinemlo' - Malawasch 4 Life: Self Management Tools for Healthy Living.
The next two interns from the college will be tasked to update the PHI Pharmacy Web site where “a multitude of drug information” will be made accessible to the public.
Tough economy
Although the country is in an economic downturn, Cohen says their sales remain unaffected. “Health care is something that's resisting to recession. Even though the population on Saipan is going down, sales are always going up.”
Still, Cohen says their company understands people's financial state. “We realize that Saipan is not in the best economic situation in the rest of the country, in the rest of the world now, so we try to make things as affordable as possible.”
Those who have insurance policies with companies such as FHP or Netcare benefit from the minimal co-payments while those who don't have programs such as the Medically Indigent Assistance Program to turn to.
Additionally, they have the quarterly sale promotions that offer 25- to 50-percent off on some items. “We try to make sure that people don't go without medications,” he says.
Future perspective
PHI Pharmacy has a lot in store for the CNMI in the coming days.
Since the summer vacation is almost over, the public can expect for a Back to School promo from PHI Pharmacy.
Cohen says they also plan to offer an online store in their Web site where people can purchase their medication refills and over-the-counter items without additional cost to them.
The public can also look forward to an improved Web site, with the information more accessible to them.
“Fourteen years of staying in business is quite a feat to any business in any field,” says Cohen.
Starting with only eight staff back in 1996, Cohen says they now have over 25 courteous, multi-lingual, and educated staff that will provide them with outstanding customer services, minimal waiting time for prescriptions, and counseling when they get their prescription.
“We're looking forward to being here for a very long period of time,” says Cohen.
PHI Pharmacy currently has three locations to better serve the public. The main branch at the Commonwealth Health Center is open from 8am to 6pm, Mondays through Fridays and 8am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
The Dandan location is open from Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm. The Marina Heights location is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
Since all branches have the same server, people can access their PHI prescription from other locations seven days a week.
For information, call PHI Pharmacy at 323-5003 or e-mail phi@phipharmacy.com.
Home | Weather | Advertising | Classifieds | Subscription | Contact
Us | About Us | Archives
©2006 Saipan Tribune. All Rights Reserved
