Ramstad: Soda fountain out, vaccine hub in as St. Paul Corner Drug fights to survive
The century-old fountain closed during the pandemic. Now, pharmacy owner John Hoeschen needs room to administer shots and other services that are the main source of profit for drugstores.
St. Paul Corner Drug says farewell to its vintage soda fountain, warns of 'sobering trend' for pharmacies
The pharmacy says the healthcare system has been stacked against independent pharmacies.
Independent pharmacists plead their case at Minnesota State Capitol after mass closures in recent years
Our owner John Hoeschen says the problem centers around reimbursement rates and low margins for prescription drugs. He says an easy way to visualize this problem is by looking at a large stack of paperwork he has nicknamed "the stack."
PBMs threaten future of small independent drug stores
Our Owner and Pharmacist John Hoeschen’s opposing view to a recent guest editorial that praised Pharmacy Benefit Managers for reducing health care costs for small businesses
More Minnesotans face ‘pharmacy deserts’ with chain drugstore closures
As Walgreens, CVS get ready to close more stores, many independent pharmacies say they are operating at a loss.
How the prescription drug supply chain is killing local pharmacies
The supply chain that brings pharmaceutical drugs from the factory to the pharmacy is long, complex and unclear. Congress and several state legislatures have proposed or enacted laws to bring more transparency and curb soaring drug prices. As special correspondent—and current St. Paul Corner Drug patient—Fred de Sam Lazaro reports, many small or independent pharmacies complain the system also hurts them.
Meet the longtime St. Paul pharmacist who thinks the future won't be about filling prescriptions
John Hoeschen bought St. Paul Corner Drug on April 1, 1997. In all the years since, the native of central Minnesota farm country, who graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 1989, has seen seismic changes in community pharmacies.