Walgreens leaving, and two local pharmacies remain
Oct. 30—Walgreens followed CVS and Walmart out of the International District this year, but two local pharmacies remain standing.
John's Pharmacy and Phil's Pharmacy are at opposite ends of the International District. Both face similar struggles as mom-and-pop pharmacies catering to the customers Walgreens will be leaving behind.
The Walgreens at Menaul and Carlisle NE will be closing this month. It's part of Walgreen's larger three-year plan to close 1,200 stores across the U.S. Similarly, CVS closed 900 stores in 2023 and Walmart shuttered 24 stores across U.S. in the same year.
That leaves John's Pharmacy and Phil's pharmacy to take on International District costumers.
John's Pharmacy, 9134 Central SE, opened in 2019. Owner John Ma was inspired to start the pharmacy to help with a lack of pharmaceutical access in the Vietnamese population in Albuquerque, which is more than 3,000 people, according to 2010 census data.
"We're bilingual," said Ma.
The "we" Ma is referring to is him and his brother, Jeremy Ma, who joined the pharmacy in 2021.
Jeremy Ma always wanted to be in the medical field but said he didn't feel smart enough — that was until his older brother got into a pharmacy program.
"I'm not dumber than John," Jeremy Ma joked.
Phil's Pharmacy, at 5510 Lomas NE, opened in 1984. Founder Phil Griego retired nine years ago, but "when they need help, I come in."
Griego said local pharmacies offer "personalized service," compared to big box chains.
John Ma said in corporate pharmacy, "It's all about metrics, hitting quotes, and that's not what we are here for."
He said corporate pharmacy goes against the values he was taught at the University of New Mexico's pharmacy program.
Jeremy Ma said the biggest difference in his experience was the impact he can make on a patient.
Both pharmacies said they take most insurances.
"Just give us a call," said Jeremy Ma.
Independent pharmacy struggles
It's not always easy to attract attention as a local pharmacy.
"We've been here for five years, and a lot of people still do not know we are here," Jeremy Ma said.
He said he joined the pharmacy because his brother John was worn out from running it.
He told his brother, "There are two options: One, you can sell it, or we can both come out and try to make this thing work.'"
Phil's Pharmacy similarly had a slow start, getting patients through word of mouth. Griego said he's struggling to hire a new technician.
"It does not seem like anybody wants to work," Griego said.
Jeremy Ma said worker shortages are a national issue.
Another struggle at Ma's Pharmacy are medicine shortages, he said. He explained that corporate stores buy in bulk so they may more easily make it through stock shortages.
"We're only buying one box (of a specific medication) for a month; they're buying hundreds," said Jeremy Ma.
One advantage Phil's Pharmacy has over big box stores is its drive-up window and delivery services. Griego said he started offering those services before Walgreens, giving him a leg up on the competition.
"I've been doing it for 40 years, and they just started," said Griego.
