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12-22-2004: KGTV Channel 10 News Story
| Local Pharmacy Helps Customers Get What They Need
Galloway Pharmacy Carries Hard-To-Get Drugs, Makes Deliveries
SAN DIEGO -- Dealing with medications and insurance coverage can be a complicated and frustrating experience.
Since 1924, Galloway Pharmacy has been a San Diego institution. What used to be a neighborhood soda fountain and drug store on National Avenue in Central Village is now a bustling specialty pharmacy with 52 employees.
Scott Tyree, an employee at Galloway Pharmacy, said, "A lot of patients have insurance, but their insurance tells them, 'No, you can't have it.' At Galloway's we try to make sure they get it."
Barbara Martin's chronic health condition responded well to an injectible drug she received while in the hospital, but when she tried to get it for home use, she was turned down by her insurance company.
"They said I had to go through the hospital. They wanted $300 to $600 per shot. I didn't have the money, so I went back on the pills," Martin said.
The pills didn't help Martin's symptoms. Someone told her there might be another way to get the injectible medicine.
"They sent me to Galloway Pharmacy. Galloway Pharmacy got it for me," Martin told 10News.
"People are lost in health care. They don't understand. They go to a pharmacy and the pharmacy says (their medicine) is not covered. For us, that's not a suitable answer," said Tyree.
Edna Fisher, a pharmacy technician at Galloway Pharmacy, was able to get the authorization for Martin's medication.
"I was able to put it through as medical with justification -- something a lot of other pharmacies don't take the time to do," Fisher said.
"They're such a godsend. I couldn't believe I was going to get the shots again. They taught me how to give myself a shot and I give my shot twice a day and it works," Martin said.
Galloway Pharmacy also carries many drugs and medical supplies not available elsewhere, including HIV and AIDS medications, fertility drugs and transplant medications.
"We stock products no one else wants. We deliver products. We make our pharmacists available to interact in the health care triad -- patient, physician, pharmacist," Tyree said.
If patients are on a medication that needs to be refilled every month, an account manager from Galloway Pharmacy checks in every 22 days as a reminder. Delivery is free.
Galloway Pharmacy also carries pet medications.
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