September 1, 2020
How many years has Gerdes Pharmacy been in business?
Gerdes Pharmacy has been in business for 60 years at the same location in Conneaut. The pharmacy was purchased in 1960 by Bill Gerdes and is now owned by his son, Kerry. Scott, Kerry’s son, works as a pharmacist and is the third generation of the family to join the pharmacy.
What has been the most significant change within your pharmacy over the past five years?
We have been doing more compliance packaging, medication synchronization and medication therapy management in the last five years. We have taken a more active role in our patients’ outcomes through these services.
What are your favorite ways to get involved with your community?
Kerry is an active member of the Rotary Club of Conneaut, the Elevation drug awareness team, the local chamber of commerce and the Conneaut Boat Club. He was also the Conneaut 2015 Citizen of the Year. Gerdes Pharmacy also donates to numerous non-profit fundraisers in the local area.
How do your patients and community shape your offerings? What keeps your patients coming back?
We are able to adapt quickly to the needs of our community. Like many independent pharmacies, we are compounding hand sanitizer to meet our community’s need. This is something that the larger chains are not currently doing. Patients keep coming back because of our customer service, because of our wide variety of services and because they know that we have their best interest in mind.
What do you think your patients love most about your pharmacy?
I think they love our attention to detail and how we know their names. Patients also like the personal connection. We know them. Our entire staff lives in Conneaut, so our patients are our neighbors, friends and fellow church parishioners.
What does Locally Loved mean to you?
Locally Loved means being there and caring for our community. If we show love to our patients and treat them well, they show the love in return. We know that patients have other choices when it comes to choosing their pharmacy, whether that be a chain or mail order pharmacy. Yet they still choose their local independent pharmacy. We really appreciate our patients who choose us.
