Solon Drug set to close

Solon's only pharmacy, Solon Drug, 411 E. Haganman Lane, is schedule to close June 2 following a decision by the drug store's owners to sell its prescription files to Hy-Vee.

Todd Thompson, previous owner of Solon Drug, said the decision to sell was financial.

He declined to disclose any details related to the sale, which was finalized in April.

"We really tried everything we could," Thompson said. "We wanted to stay in the community but  insurance companies basically don't pay enough t o cover the costs anymore. You have to do an awful lot of prescriptions to survive in a small town. It's really tough."

Thompson said increased use of mail order pharmacies and and low insurance reimbursements were hurting the small town pharmacy.

All prescriptions from Solon Drug will be forwarded to the Hyvee on North Dodge.

Stephanie Bell, pharmacy technician at Solon Drug, said the store's closure was a "shock" to the community, adding the closure will likely inconvenience some of their elderly customers who rely on their convenient location and home delivery services.

Bill Robertson, director of North Dodge Hy-Vee said the location offers prescription delivery services which will be extended to Solon customers.

Though Thompson said he has confidence Hy-Vee will make sure Solon Drugs' customers are taken care of, he added the store's closure aligns with a trend of small town pharmacy closures.

"I wish it was closer and I wish we could stay there but I think we're going to see this more and more in small communities," Thompson said.

Ruth Comer, vice president of media relations at Hy-Vee, agreed, adding the chain is glad to help patients from smaller stores when their pharmacy is forced to close.

"We're happy to be able to work with the pharmacy and continue serving those patients and of course patients always have the option of where they're going to shop or do their pharmacy business," Comer said.

"But when a pharmacy closes something has to happen to those patients." Solon Drug has been in business for seven years."