News Summary
Dalton Pharmacy in Slocomb, Alabama, has been a vital community resource for 122 years. Facing financial challenges due to insurance reimbursement practices, the fourth generation of the Dalton family is advocating for legislative changes to support independent pharmacies while continuing to offer personalized care and services to local residents.
Alabama – Dalton Pharmacy, a family-operated business located on South Dalton Street in Slocomb, is celebrating over a century of service but is currently facing significant challenges stemming from insurance reimbursement practices. Established in 1903 by Jep P. Dalton to support local medical care, the pharmacy has become a vital community resource for nearly 122 years.
The pharmacy, now under the operation of the fourth generation of Daltons, continues to prioritize personal relationships with its customers. Currently serving a population of approximately 2,080 residents, it competes against larger chain pharmacies in nearby Dothan by offering services tailored to the community’s needs. Many local seniors depend on Dalton Pharmacy to help navigate the complexities of larger pharmacy chains and online services.
Dalton Pharmacy stands out by providing prescription delivery services along with personalized consultations, which have solidified its reputation as a crucial institution for health and well-being in Slocomb. However, despite its commitment to customer service, the pharmacy is struggling due to decreasing margins on prescriptions caused by unfavorable insurance reimbursement practices.
According to the pharmacy’s records, around 20% of prescriptions are dispensed at a loss, which is leading to financial strain on the business. In response to this situation, the Dalton family is actively advocating for legislative changes in Alabama that would ensure fairer reimbursement from Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), aiming to improve the operational viability of independent pharmacies like theirs.
Dalton Pharmacy has a rich history closely tied to the local community, having been managed by four generations of the Dalton family. After Jep P. Dalton passed away in 1930, his wife Mantye Hollis Dalton took over the business, transforming it from a drugstore into a sundry store until their son, Charles, graduated from pharmacy school in 1934 and resumed its operations. Charles continued to run the pharmacy until his death in 1997, at which point his son Joe Dalton inherited the establishment.
Joe Dalton, along with his son Tyler Dalton, represents the third and fourth generations of the family respectively. Together, they are working to preserve the legacy of independent pharmacies while contending with ever-increasing regulatory burdens and competition from larger chains. Joe has also undertaken efforts to restore the historical charm of the pharmacy’s building, which plays a significant role in the revitalization of downtown Slocomb.
The Dalton Pharmacy group has since expanded to include eight additional pharmacies across southeast and east-central Alabama, with a ninth location opened in Double Springs. This expansion reflects a commitment to both maintaining a strong local presence and adapting to a changing market.
As Dalton Pharmacy faces these challenges, the dedication of the Dalton family to community care remains steadfast. They continue to build upon their legacy while addressing the operational difficulties posed by modern insurance practices. The pharmacy’s emphasis on customer service and relationship-building with residents will remain central to its mission as it navigates the future of independent pharmacy operations in Alabama.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Yellowhammer News: Dalton Pharmacy Celebrates Over a Century of Service
- Wikipedia: Pharmacy
- Alabama News Center: Dalton Pharmacy History
- Google Search: Crisis in Pharmacy Industry
- WDHN: Slocomb Pharmacy Fights Rising Prices
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pharmacy
- WDHN: Dothan Family’s Tragedy
- Google News: Independent Pharmacies in the USA
