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23 TheSouthShoreMagazine.com pharmacist, working part-time. Kyle is also a staff pharmacist at South Shore Hospital. Paul and his wife Beth have 3 other children, one of whom is also a pharmacist. The MacArthurs have three children. Trends in pharmacy have changed dramatically since Fred Hackett bought Olden's from Carmal Olden. Joan thumbs through a leather-bound prescription ledger from the 1940's containing recipes for medicines and remedies that were blended to order for patients. Olden's proudly continues to do a significant amount of non- sterile compounding. Medical advances brought more drugs as cures, which changed pharmacies. Even pharmacists' education has changed from a rigorous 5 year program to a 6 year doctoral program. While Olden's has always been a pharmacy where customers are known well and questions are answered, Joan MacArthur said they are now developing a comprehensive Medication Therapy Management program for all patients, with Kyle taking the lead. Olden's wants to be in the forefront of their patients' health care planning well before it is required by the government. Kyle's education and level of skill will take Olden's into the future of Health Care. Medication Therapy Management is medical care provided by pharmacists to optimize drug therapies and improve outcomes. It involves an initial assessment, medication monitoring and education, a treatment plan, and follow up for patients with chronic diseases. In Joan's view, this is part of the personal touch for which they are known and "is a natural extension of what we do now." Jean McKearney Yaworsky is the Front Store and Gift Department Manager. The McKearney sisters, Russo, Trancucci, and the Hacketts all grew up within walking distance of the store. Most started their careers at Olden's working on the soda fountain, which was removed in the 1980's. All three Joan MacArthur says there are many, many benefits to being a community-anchored, family-owned pharmacy. Olden's has always been customer-focused, and being independent allows them to respond quickly and fully to their customers' changing needs. For example, to help the aging population remain in their homes, Olden's can enroll them in the Medication Blister-Packing or Sync My Med programs. These programs ensure seniors are taking their prescriptions accurately, freeing them from the worry and hassle of keeping their medications organized. Joan continues this focus on customers by writing a monthly column on the website. On her blog, subjects like elder care issues are addressed at length. It is there that you will find helpful tips on how to ensure that an elderly person will take the correct medication, bathroom safety equipment tips, or information on COPD. The depth of knowledge and caring at the core of Olden's is reflected on their site. MacArthur said "we want our website to be a place people can go to as a resource." Seeing a "huge need for it," they have just added a new diabetic shoe store, handicap accessible from the municipal parking lot behind the store or through the store. Paul Hackett and Pharmacy Technician Penny Trancucci took courses to become Certified Therapeutic Shoe Fitters to adhere to the Medicare Standard. After much research, Paul chose to carry the Dr. Comfort brand of shoes and socks, because of their quality and extensive selection for men and women in both dress and casual styles. Penny, the daughter of a podiatrist, schedules the appointments and handles the Medicare billing. The pharmacy, of course, is a hub of activity. Staffed by all three Pharmacist/Owners, along with Certified Pharmacy Technicians Lynda Russo and Roberta McKearney, Joan and Bill estimate they fill hundreds of prescriptions per day, seven days per week. Paul introduced computers to the pharmacy in the 1980's, and about 10 years ago, he added a robotic pill counting machine to further increase efficiency. The third generation of the Hackett family is now getting involved too, with Paul's son Kyle, a owners say their employees are more like family and are "the key to our success. Our employees have been here for as long as or longer than we have." Every one of the staff at Olden's was looking forward to that day in February, when one lucky customer would have the 2 millionth new prescription filled. They looked at this celebration as a way of giving back to a community that has nurtured each of them and many of their customers. There were raffles and prizes both on their website and in the store, along with a donation to the newly renovated Fogg Library to honor their mother, just as the Frederick J. Hackett Scholarship honors their dad. Most important to Joan, Bill, and Paul is to support their business neighbors in Columbian Square, and to thank their very loyal customers, all of whom they see as family. Stay tuned on their website, on Facebook, and Twitter for more on the big celebration! OLDEN'S PHARMACY 101 Pleasant Street, Weymouth 781.337.0187 oldenspharmacy@yahoo.com www.oldens-pharmacy.com Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 9pm Sat - Sun: 9am - 5pm