Job: Pharmacist and owner, Thrifty Mac Pharmacy, Madison
What I do: George Launius' Thrifty Mac Pharmacy in Madison doesn't sell groceries, process film or stock the latest gossip tabloids. The big red sign at the back of the store says it all: "Prescriptions."
While there are sections for greeting cards, barbecue grills and University of Georgia gear, the main focus is on medicine. The shelves are full of over-the-counter remedies, and the store carries medical equipment, such as walkers and crutches. Unlike the chain drugstores, grocery stores and super-discount stores on the edge of town, Launius says his independent pharmacy provides a higher level of service to his customers.
"I believe in independent pharmacists. I believe they are passionate about their job -- being involved with their patients," said Launius, 53. "I help my patients get the best value for their money."
He said his main love is filling prescriptions, but, as owner of the business for 30 years, he has had to become an expert on health insurance. Like anyone who owns a small business, he deals with personnel, inventory and accounts.
He also helps people decide which Medicare prescription plans are best for them, and he works with a customer's doctor and insurance company to get the best medicine at the best price -- for example, recommending a generic drug that is as effective as a brand-name version. That takes an understanding of pharmacology and insurance, he said.
Launius stresses service at his pharmacy. Because most medicines are premade and don't have to be mixed these days, he and his staff can refill a prescription in 10 minutes -- usually while the customer waits at the drive-through window, he said.
With each prescription, he's on the lookout for errors, such as how many times per day it can be taken. Because he knows his customers, Launius knows what they need treatment for. He has caught spelling errors that could give people the wrong drugs for their conditions. If there's a question, Launius and his staff are quick to check with the physician. "We're the safety net for that," he said.
If someone needs an over-the-counter cold remedy, Launius can make a recommendation based on what other medicines the person is taking.
"We have the same customers over and over," he said. "They're very at ease about asking for advice."
Launius is confident about keeping those customers, too. "Our service level is so much higher, we rarely lose customers to the chains," he said. "The prices are set by the insurance companies, but our personal service is so much better."
What got me interested in this: As a teenager in Monroe, Launius worked at an independent pharmacy. "The pharmacist/owner really enjoyed interacting with his customers/friends. I knew I wanted a job working with the public," he said, as well as owning his own store.
Best part of my job: "There's something new every day. I get energy working with the public, helping patients solve problems with medicine and insurance."
Most challenging part: Working with the arms of insurance companies that control drug co-pays and formularies, or lists of drugs they'll pay for. "Sometimes, we'll spend hours or days trying to find a covered drug for a patient," he said.
What people don't know about my job: "How much work we do on the customer's behalf to get their medicine covered by their insurance."
What keeps me going: "I love the challenge of running my own business," said Launius, who works nine to 10 hours a day, five and a half days a week.
Preparation needed for this job: To be a pharmacist, a person must complete two years of college in pre-pharmacy training -- mostly science courses -- then graduate from a four-year pharmacy school. Graduates earn doctorates in pharmacy.
To be licensed in Georgia, a pharmacist must have experience in a pharmacy and must pass an exam by the Georgia Pharmacy Board. Thirty hours of continuing education is required every two years.
Launius attended Georgia Southern University for two years and graduated from the University of Georgia's pharmacy school. He worked at a pharmacy in Commerce after graduation, then helped the owner of that pharmacy open a store in Madison. He bought the Madison store a year after it opened.
- By Karl W. Ritzler, for ajcjobs. Got an interesting job that you love? E-mail your story to jobseditor@ajc.com.