TOLEDO – Standing with his family in front of their Junction Family Pharmacy, Anthony Pattin sliced through the blue ribbon with oversized scissors to cheers and applause – the Junction Family Pharmacy is now official.
The ribbon cutting on Friday was only symbolic, of course, because the only black-owned pharmacy in Toledo has been open for business since December.
Among those joining Pattin behind the ribbon was Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and Toledo city council members at-large Brittany Jones and Cerssandra McPherson.
It was a momentous moment for Pattin because as corporate pharmacies close, leaving community members without care, Junction Family Pharmacy is stepping up to fill the need.
When Pattin learned about the closures of two Rite Aid locations in the area, he figured it was the perfect time to move his family back to his old neighborhood and start a pharmacy practice of his own in the Junction neighborhood.
Pattin had been working as a clinical associate professor at the Buffalo Pharmacy of Pharmaceutical Sciences in New York, but decided he was ready for a career change after working in academia for 15 years.
“I wanted to serve patients more directly,” Pattin said. “With the Rite Aid departures, it just seemed like a great opportunity and a big need in the community that I could fill.”
Unlike chains, Pattin said local pharmacies have more opportunities because they aren’t restricted by corporate processes and structures.
“As an independent [pharmacy], you can serve patients; you can have more connection with them; get to know them; and, as an owner, you can do things to fit your patients,” Pattin said.
Even in the wake of mail-order prescriptions, he said in-person pharmacies are important to patients.
“They want somebody they know handling their medications, or a place that’s close they can call and is accessible,” Pattin said.
Community leader Cedric Brock, pastor of Mount Nebo Baptist Church, said he thinks Junction Family Pharmacy could encourage entrepreneurship in Toledo, especially for the younger generation.
“[Pattin] sets the right example for people to see they can do it too,” Brock said.
Brock, who knows Pattin from the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, called Pattin a “bridge builder,” referencing his impact on providing resources for Toledo residents.
Additionally, Brock said the location of Junction Family Pharmacy makes medicine accessibility easier for senior citizens.
“We used to say that every American lives within five miles of a pharmacy, and maybe that’s not quite so true anymore because there’s been a lot of closures, but we know that accessibility really helps health outcomes,” Pattin said.
Research from the University of Southern California on the relationship between pharmacy access and health equity supports Pattin’s claim stating, “Lack of easy access to prescription medications and other pharmacy-based services may contribute to health disparities.”
As Pattin has been working to establish himself in the community, he said business has grown and he has gained more patients.
“Since December, I’ve had some patients that I’ve seen repeatedly, so I know the medications they’re on or know some of the issues they’re dealing with, so you can have a better conversation when different things or when something new arises,” Pattin said.
Junction Family Pharmacy is not only helping community members who are patients, but is also providing opportunities for pharmacy students at the University of Toledo to complete their advanced pharmacy practice experiences, a requirement for pharmacy students to graduate.
Pattin has ties to UT as an alumnus and former associate professor. Despite no longer teaching, he said he is looking forward to working with students in a new capacity.
