Q: How are you and your staff adjusting your operations to comply with COVID-19 safety measures?
A: Daily deliveries have doubled since March 15, 2020. Ritch’s Pharmacy is one of three independent community pharmacies in Alabama chosen to participate in the distribution of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Our shipment of 1,100 COVID-19 doses arrived Dec. 21, and we began vaccination for Phase 1-A people, such as EMS, fire fighters, police, small hospitals and clinics, physicians office staff and other essential first line health care workers who have not been vaccinated in the Pfizer Phase 1 vaccine release. We are so proud to be part of this history and feeling of hope.
Q: Share with us a success story tied to your pharmacy.
A: Ritch’s Pharmacy has been an immunizing pharmacy since 1998, and we give over 1,400 immunizations to our community each year. This and the diligence we keep in posting vaccines to the state of Alabama ImmPRINT record system for the Alabama Department of Health played an important role in our being chosen to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine program.
Q: What else would you like to share?
A: Ritch’s Pharmacy made history in our state three times in 2020. First, owner Ralph Sorrell was named to the Alabama Pharmacy Hall of Fame in August. Sorrell then served on the Alabama Board of Pharmacy from 2015-20 and is only one of three pharmacists who has a practice in Mountain Brook who has served on this board. Last, Ritch’s Pharmacy received delivery of the first Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 21 to be distributed to an independent community pharmacy in Mountain Brook.
