CMH inks two-location deal with Evans Drugs

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Citizens Memorial Hospital has signed a two-store pharmacy acquisition deal with an El Dorado Springs company.

The deal, slated to take effect Dec. 1, would see CMH take over the operations of a pharmacy apiece in Bolivar and Buffalo, according to a news release. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 315 S. Ash St. store in Buffalo will be renamed CMH Buffalo Community Pharmacy, while the Bolivar location in Woods Supermarket will close Nov. 26 and consolidate operations into Stephens Pharmacy at CMH, 1100 S. Springfield Ave. CMH has an existing medical equipment store next door to the Buffalo pharmacy.

"We have had a good relationship with Evans Drugs through the years, and we’re excited to welcome their Bolivar and Buffalo employees to CMH," said Michael Calhoun, CMH CEO, in the release. "We already offer numerous health care services in Buffalo. The pharmacy addition will streamline access to medications for our many patients in Dallas County, making it easier for them to get the care they need close to home."

When the acquisition closes, CMH will have retail pharmacies in Bolivar, Buffalo and Urbana, the latter of which is a telepharmacy location. CMH also has a hospital pharmacy and a senior pharmacy that serves residents of long-term care facilities.

The Evans Drugs pharmacies in Bolivar and Buffalo fill around 57,000 prescriptions annually. CMH's Stephens Pharmacy in Bolivar fills nearly 157,000 prescriptions per year, with 10% of those filled at the Urbana telepharmacy location, according to the release. CMH officials say the hospital’s retail pharmacy business has seen a 30% increase in the number of prescriptions filled in the past year.

“With the ever-changing landscape of independent retail pharmacies, CMH will provide great patient care and customer service in the Bolivar and Buffalo areas,” said Kevin McCullough, owner of Evans Drugs, in the release. “Patients will have access to expanded pharmacy services that will help improve their overall health and well-being.”

Officials say Evans Drugs will continue to have pharmacies in El Dorado Springs, Kirksville, Lockwood, Nevada, Osceola, Stockton and Sunrise Beach.