LAWTON - Although many are regulars, when customers come into Anderson Pharmacy and Accents, they are genuinely greeted as though they are close friends of the family.
By engaging customers, taking the time to explain medicines and insurance issues, Anderson Pharmacy builds long-lasting, trusting relationships. “We treat our patients the same way we want to be treated,” explains pharmacist and owner Shawn Anderson.
A few years after graduating from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weather- ford, Lawtonians Shawn and Christi Anderson opened and ran the Country Mart Pharmacy.
During that time, from February 2000 to June 2007, their clientele grew, and they developed the Anderson Pharmacy and Accents idea - a unique pharmacy centered around exceptional customer service, engendered with a classic sense of nostalgia; when it opened, the apothecary came complete with an old-fashioned soda fountain and soda jerk who scooped up ice cream and prepared milkshakes and malts.
After ten years, the Andersons switched off their 1948 Bastian-Blessing soda fountain and brought in another great element to the pharmacy - Viridian Coffee.
While waiting times remain relatively short, offering locally owned cold brew and espresso blended coffees to waiting customers just seemed to fit. And it allows customers the opportunity to visit.
While they may have modernized the pharmacy with the addition of the café and baristas, the Andersons held fast to their number one goal: providing outstanding customer service.
Coffee, décor, odds and ends and prescriptions are just inventory, but the greatest asset to the company are its employees and their commitment to the customers explains pharmacist and owner Shawn Anderson. By selecting a compassionate staff who is willing to connect with customers with sincerity, attitude and heart, Shawn is confident in saying, “The best thing about Anderson Pharmacy is the people who work here.”
With close to 20 years in business, he adds that “the success of any business depends on its employees. We want to make sure we’ve got the right person in the right job” and allow them to rise to their full potential, “if they’re successful, we’re successful.”
Taking interest and being involved with the community, as well as building good relationships with other health- care professionals is also vital to the business. “Anderson Pharmacy is taking the next steps in patient care,” said Marketing Director Lauren Coody.
Recently named Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year by the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association, Anderson Pharmacy’s Lucas Coody explains that, “The average person sees a doctor maybe three times a year, but they may go to the pharmacy about 35 times a year.
“It’s not uncommon for a patient to be on 8-12 medications. We will sit down with patients and explain how the disease works, what the medications do, here’s what you need to watch out for, and offer some coupons to lower the cost of the prescriptions,” he said.
By teaming up with health- care providers, the Meds to Beds program helps ensure that patients receive medications and instructions before being discharged from the hospital. “That’s just another way we can help patients and health- care providers,” said Coody. “We just want you to get your medicine, so you’ll start feeling better,” he added.
Anderson Pharmacy and Accents also offers free in-town delivery, curbside pickup, online refills, custom compounds and many pet meds to better serve their customers.