Pharmacy puts tech to work, plus more places for pizza, pot and apartments
After a customer suggested using Amazon-like technology to fill prescriptions, pharmacy owner Sunil Gowda ran with the idea and invested in a new device for his business, Hawks Prairie Pharmacy.
The pharmacy on Marvin Road Northeast in Lacey, which he started nine years ago, fills pharmacy punch cards by hand, or uses a separate machine to fill bottles. But the newest step is the use of pouch-filling technology called a RapidPakRX, a machine that can fill a 30-day supply of medications or supplements in individual pouches, including a label that reminds the customer about the day and time (morning or evening) that they need to take their pills or vitamins.
Gowda installed the technology about three weeks ago and customers are starting to request it, he said. He thinks the convenience will appeal to them, particularly older customers who sometimes take many medications and find it hard to keep track of them.
“This way they will never forget to take their medications, which will reduce the chance of hospitalization,” he said.
Here’s how it works: First, a pharmacist checks the medication, then that information is checked again before it is distributed into as many as 20 cartridges. Those cartridges are then inserted into the machine. But before those cartridges dispense the pills into pouches, Gowda can triple-check the information with a visual image of each cartridge and what it contains. From start to finish, it takes about 15-20 minutes, he said.
In comparison, it takes about an hour to fill a pharmacy punch card with pills, Gowda said, and those punch cards are cumbersome for travel. With the pouches, a customer could tear off a specific number of pouches for their days away from home. Headed out for a three-day weekend? Take three pouches, for example.
There is a $5 monthly fee for the pouch-filling service. He also offers delivery to the Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater area for another $5 charge.
Hawks Prairie Pharmacy is at 2539 Marvin Road NE, Suite E, Lacey.
Other business happenings
A business called Bright Hills Property Group LLC has submitted a site plan application for a 5,000-square-foot building to grow and process marijuana at 8401 Hogum Bay Lane NE, according to city of Lacey information. The city deemed the application complete on Nov. 22. The comment period ends at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6. Anyone who would like to comment on the application can send those comments to Lacey assistant planner Reace Fant at RFant@ci.lacey.wa.us.
Attorney Josh Brumley is now the owner of a new Little Caesars Pizza in west Olympia, he announced in an email to The Olympian.
“I am excited to finally be open after over a year of construction at Grocery Outlet Plaza on Harrison Ave.,” he writes.
He added that he is doing some grand opening activities on Saturday, Dec. 3, where “we will have a Santa Claus on site from 11-2.”
The new Little Caesars is at 2106 Harrison Ave. NW.
Comcast has opened a new Xfinity store near Lacey at 4104 Martin Way E., the business announced. The 1,800-square-foot store, according to Comcast, “features an interactive design and provides a destination for visitors to experience the complete line of Xfinity products and services.”
The new store is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
Real estate proposals
Prominent downtown Olympia developer Walker John has a new proposal, according to city of Olympia information.
His representatives are set to meet with the city’s site plan review committee, a committee that provides feedback on what will be required of the development proposal, on Dec. 7.
At the meeting, they will discuss re-development of a site at Eighth Avenue and Adams Street, near Olympia Timberland Library, that will “include ground floor live/work units and four stories of studio apartments,” according to information included for the meeting.
The description adds that “no parking will be supplied” and “open space requirements to be met on building’s rooftop deck,” including a dog run.
Site plan review committee meetings are open to the public.
If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
This story was originally published December 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Pharmacy puts tech to work, plus more places for pizza, pot and apartments."
