PHI Pharmacy celebrates 16th anniversary

  The islands’ biggest pharmaceutical outlet, PHI Pharmacy Inc., is celebrating this month its 16 years of service to the Commonwealth by offering patrons huge discounts on items and services.

PHI Pharmacy vice president Bruce Cohen announced that since last week, the pharmacy has been offering 25 to 75 percent discounts on all its over-the-counter products and other pharmaceutical supplies that will run through Aug. 10.

He described the appreciation sale as the longest promotional activity ever held by the company in years. The company carries a complete line of prescription drugs besides over-the-counter items.

Cohen said the company started its operation on Saipan on July 29, 1996 with the sole mission of giving the islanders the highest level of outpatient pharmacy services.

PHI Pharmacy started out without really knowing Saipan’s demand on pharmaceutical needs and Cohen admitted that their initial estimate was just a 10-year business plan for the CNMI.

Because constant growth came in their first year, Cohen said this convinced PHI Pharmacy to expand its service offerings by establishing outlets in Dandan in 2006 and last year, in the Kagman area. PHI Pharmacy also explored the wholesale business and it has proven successful for some years now. Homecare service has also been explored and was proven effective as well.

“I think we met and exceeded our mission statement. We’ve been providing the highest level of outpatient pharmacy service for 16 years now and we continue to expand. PHI Pharmacy has been opened every day since 1996 even under typhoon conditions, and we will continue to be around,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Cohen said PHI Pharmacy had witnessed the good and bad years of the Commonwealth from its prosperous times to the exodus of garment industry to the present Medicaid issues and health problems.

But the vice president remained optimistic that solution will soon be identified to address these concerns, especially on the Medicaid program which owes the company a substantial amount that resulted in the suspension of service to Medicaid clients since early this month.

To date, Cohen said the company has 27 personnel all working at its Navy Hill and Dandan outlets. This after it recently shut down the Kagman outlet due to the negative impact of economic slowdown in the CNMI. Despite this challenge, Cohen assured that the company remains economically prepared for any future challenges that may come its way.

PHI Pharmacy’s outlet in Navy Hill is open from 8am to 6pm Mondays through Fridays and 8am to 4pm during Saturday and Sunday. Its Dandan outlet accommodates clients from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday while 8am to 4pm during Saturday.