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pkbarbiedoll.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
trans2005-11-26 01:24 pm
pkbarbiedoll.livejournal.com) wrote in trans2005-11-26 01:24 pm
"You have to start somewhere..."
Everyone should read this story and think about Jim Witt's philosophy the next time you pick up your prescriptions from the corner chain.
He deserves a medal of Honor.
http://www.borgdrug.com/
Who We Are
My name is Jim Witt and I am the owner of Borg Drug, a small pharmacy in Ashby, MN. I bought Borg Drug in 1999 and moved to this part of rural Minnesota to live close to family. We truly are a family business. I am the only pharmacist. My sister-in-law is the only full time pharmacy technician. My sister, mother, and cousin have helped at the store and my wife and kids are always there behind the scenes doing their part. I did not buy this pharmacy with the goal of becoming rich. In fact, we lost our health insurance and other benefits by becoming small business owners.
Soon after becoming the owner of the pharmacy I quickly heard stories of how high priced medications were affecting people's lives. People had to chose between paying for needed medications and other necessities. Many people have little or no prescription insurance. These people were in my community and were my neighbors. I felt obligated to do something. I believed I could still pay the expenses of the store and live a comfortable life while dispensing prescriptions with minimal mark up. I went away from the way most pharmacies charge for prescriptions and came up with a plan that charges a small amount over the wholesale cost of the prescriptions. I needed to give back to society and to help people as much as I could.
I do not need to become rich. I want to have more free time to spend with my family. I want to be there for my kids as they grow up. I have heard from more than one person that kids grow up before you know it and to cherish every minute you can with them. I did not want to have any regrets years down the road that I spent too much time at work and not enough time with my kids. I want to keep drug prices as low as I can for people and also have time for my family. I have kept the pharmacy's hours limited to accomplish both goals. I am a very lucky person. I live in a nice house on nine acres of land in the country surrounded by farm fields. I am also fortunate to be able to attend all of my kids' after school activiteis.
Drug prices do not have to be so high. Profits do not have to be unlimited in the health care industry. I believe that the drug companies do not have to show billions of dollars in profit. I believe that they should reduce profits to provide lower cost medication so more people can benefit. They should also put more money into research to develop more effective drugs. I may not have much influence in the way the pharmaceutical industry operates but change has to start somewhere. I want to charge less for medication to allow people to afford the medication they need without having to sacrifice other necessities. I only wish that other pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and corporate America would have this same philosophy."
He deserves a medal of Honor.
http://www.borgdrug.com/
Who We Are
My name is Jim Witt and I am the owner of Borg Drug, a small pharmacy in Ashby, MN. I bought Borg Drug in 1999 and moved to this part of rural Minnesota to live close to family. We truly are a family business. I am the only pharmacist. My sister-in-law is the only full time pharmacy technician. My sister, mother, and cousin have helped at the store and my wife and kids are always there behind the scenes doing their part. I did not buy this pharmacy with the goal of becoming rich. In fact, we lost our health insurance and other benefits by becoming small business owners.
Soon after becoming the owner of the pharmacy I quickly heard stories of how high priced medications were affecting people's lives. People had to chose between paying for needed medications and other necessities. Many people have little or no prescription insurance. These people were in my community and were my neighbors. I felt obligated to do something. I believed I could still pay the expenses of the store and live a comfortable life while dispensing prescriptions with minimal mark up. I went away from the way most pharmacies charge for prescriptions and came up with a plan that charges a small amount over the wholesale cost of the prescriptions. I needed to give back to society and to help people as much as I could.
I do not need to become rich. I want to have more free time to spend with my family. I want to be there for my kids as they grow up. I have heard from more than one person that kids grow up before you know it and to cherish every minute you can with them. I did not want to have any regrets years down the road that I spent too much time at work and not enough time with my kids. I want to keep drug prices as low as I can for people and also have time for my family. I have kept the pharmacy's hours limited to accomplish both goals. I am a very lucky person. I live in a nice house on nine acres of land in the country surrounded by farm fields. I am also fortunate to be able to attend all of my kids' after school activiteis.
Drug prices do not have to be so high. Profits do not have to be unlimited in the health care industry. I believe that the drug companies do not have to show billions of dollars in profit. I believe that they should reduce profits to provide lower cost medication so more people can benefit. They should also put more money into research to develop more effective drugs. I may not have much influence in the way the pharmaceutical industry operates but change has to start somewhere. I want to charge less for medication to allow people to afford the medication they need without having to sacrifice other necessities. I only wish that other pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and corporate America would have this same philosophy."