In This Issue:

• Founding Member Prickett Passes Away
• Convention Time Is Here!
• APSC Members Transition to APCI
• On the Shelf: Olly Gummies

Founding Member Prickett Passes Away

Founding APCI member Charles Prickett passed away on February 18, 2024, at the age of 87 at his home in Hoover, Ala., following a lengthy illness.

Prickett was the longtime owner of Eastern Valley Drugs and Medical Center Pharmacy in Bessemer, Ala., and also served as an ex officio member of the APCI Board of Directors. Mr. Prickett was one of a very few Alabama pharmacists to develop and promote the concept of APCI in the early 1980s. The co-op became a passion for him, and he served as APCI’s first president and remained active within APCI throughout his life.

Mr. Prickett was widely recognized as a pioneer in the advancement of independent pharmacy. A graduate of the Auburn University School of Pharmacy, he served as a past president of Alabama Pharmacy Association and Jefferson County Pharmacy Association; received the Bowl of Hygeia award; and was recognized by Samford University as Preceptor of the Year in 1979. He also received the National Association of Retail Druggists Pharmacy Leadership Award in 1991; the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Auburn School of Pharmacy in 1983; and the National Pharmacy Leadership Award from Auburn University in 1986.

“It is not an overstatement to say that APCI would not be the organization it is today without Charles Prickett,” said Tim Hamrick, APCI CEO. “Mr. Prickett was an outstanding leader for APCI, a compassionate pharmacist who truly cared for his patients, a personal mentor, and most of all, a friend. He will be sorely missed.”

Mr. Prickett is survived by his children Kerry Prickett (Nancy), Kenneth Prickett (Judy), and Cheryl Prickett Bailey (Paul); brother, Bill Prickett; brother in-law, Jim Boutwell; grandchildren, Samantha Bailey, Andrew Prickett (Ellis), Jonathan Prickett, Jade Bailey, Mary Elizabeth Prickett, and Anna Prickett; niece, Michael Ann Staggs; and nephew, Jeff Prickett.

Mr. Prickett will be honored with a special presentation at the 2024 APCI Annual Convention in Savannah, Ga.

Visitation will be held at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 10 a.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow.

Convention Time Is Here!

It’s time to get your luggage out of the closet, the attic or the basement and let it air out! Pick out those comfy shoes and spring clothes and get them ready to pack! The 2024 APCI Annual Convention and Stockholders’ Meeting is coming up March 21-24, 2024 at the Westin Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Ga. The theme this year is “Cheers to 40 Years: The Best is Yet to Come!”

When you arrive in Savannah, you’ll have the opportunity to network with your fellow APCI members, key vendor representatives and APCI staff. You can share what’s working for you and ask for ideas to help you overcome challenges. Fresh eyes and ears can bring great solutions to trials and obstacles.

We also have entertainment planned for the whole family. Bring your clubs to play in the all new APCI Golf Scramble on Thursday on The Club at Savannah Harbor course. Players will enjoy a box lunch, and prizes will be awarded after the round. If you can’t bring your own clubs, limited sets of rental clubs are available for $65 a set on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Friday night, we’ll board the Georgia Queen for a dinner cruise along the Savannah River. The red, white and blue paddle-wheel riverboat has a capacity of 1,000 passengers and 200 crew. We will cruise along the Savannah River, traveling to the Port of Savannah before turning downriver beneath the Eugene Talmadge Memorial Bridge and past the historic river front. The tour continues past the world-famous Waving Girl, through the shipyards and just past the tip of Hutchinson Island and Old Fort Jackson. There, the boat circles back upriver to arrive back at the dock. Some of the best Southern cuisine will be served while we cruise along the river, and a live band will provide entertainment. We’ll also have a DJ and karaoke, so practice your go-to songs and dance moves!

Get up to 9 hours of CE out of the way for 2024 with great programs on topics like innovative pharmacy revenue opportunities, immunization update, marketing and engagement strategies, DEA compliance, reducing the cost of goods and boosting profitability and more!

While in Savannah, take advantage of the beautiful downtown area with outstanding museums, attractions, and tour opportunities. Click here to learn more about what Savannah has to offer.

APSC Members Begin Transition to APCI

American Pharmacy Services Corporation (APSC) pharmacies have started their transition into becoming members of APCI, following the completion of the merger between the two groups. The merger closed on March 1.

APCI CEO Tim Hamrick and Donnie Riley, Chairman of the APSC Board of Directors, both expressed their enthusiasm and confidence in this merger in a Feb. 14 press release announcing the union of the two groups. Both leaders emphasized that the merger is a blend of shared values and strengths that will substantially benefit our members.

“This merger marks a historic moment for our organization,” Hamrick stated in the release. “This is a true combination of equals and will benefit the members of both organizations. By combining our strengths with a group that shares our values, it will enhance our ability to work on behalf of our member retail community pharmacies to reduce costs, enhance their operations and efficiencies through innovative programs, and empower members to provide world class pharmacy care.”

“This merger not only multiplies our capabilities but also provides our members with access to a vast network of resources and opportunities,” added Riley. “We're excited about the possibilities this partnership brings to the table.”

As part of the merger, former APSC board of directors members Steven Dawson of McDowell Professional Pharmacy and Ron Poole of Poole’s Pharmacy are joining the APCI board.

Former APSC pharmacies will be able to take advantage of the full suite of APCI services and programs as they complete the transition process and also will be brought into the APCI contract with McKesson. Until the transition is complete, the transitioning pharmacies will continue to operate under their current McKesson contract.

APSC staff also have been brought onto the APCI roster and the office in Frankfort is now operating under the APCI brand.

For questions or more information on the transition, please contact your APCI Account Representative.

Olly Gummies

Olly has vitamins to help your patients make it through their day and sleep through the night.

For women, we recommend the Perfect Women’s Multi Gummy. Here’s a multi that can keep up. It’s packed with essential nutrients to nourish you daily, so you can keep doing your thing. The Blissful Berry flavor, along with other natural flavors, tastes great. The multitasking blend of Vitamins A, C, D, E, Bs, Biotin & Folic Acid will have your body humming along. Chew two gummies daily. No food or water needed.

For the men, this daily sidekick is packed with the nutrients your body needs to keep you healthy, energized and up for whatever life throws your way. The Blackberry Blitz flavor will bash your taste buds. And the powerful blend of Vitamins A, C, D, E, Bs, & Zinc will keep you performing at peak levels. Chew two gummies daily. No food or water needed.

When it’s time to say good night, sweet dreams are made of these. Delicious bedtime buddies work with your body to help you mellow your mind, calm your senses and relax into Zzzs. Enjoy the Blackberry Zen flavor containing a blend of Melatonin, L-Theanine & Botanicals. For adults, chew two gummies 30 minutes before bedtime. No food or water needed.