As the owner of Hawks Prairie Pharmacy, Sunil Gowda doesn’t just want to become your pharmacist, helping you with your medication needs. He wants to earn your friendship.
In November, Gowda, after working as a pharmacist in Thurston County for 10 years, decided to open his own drug store.
“After 10 years, I decided I was ready to do it on my own,” Gowda said.
What he likes the most about being a pharmacist and owning his own pharmacy is that he gets to know the customers. When you walk through the door to his new pharmacy at 2539 Marvin Road next to Providence Medical Group clinic, you get friendly, helpful service.
“As your pharmacist, I want to get to know you by name,” Gowda said. “I want to talk to you. With the big corporate stores, it’s all about how many prescriptions you filled today.”
Gowda likes having the chance to chat with his customers, getting to know them on a personal basis. It’s a matter of building friendships.
“You get to know them,” Gowda said. “You get to know their faces.”
Hawks Prairie Pharmacy in Lacey, which is on the corner of Marvin and Britton Parkway, is open six days a week. With just one other person on staff, Gowda takes Sundays off to be with his wife and daughter.
Gowda, who was born in India and attended pharmacy school there before attending business school at the University of Central Oklahoma, gives customers flu immunizations. It’s a shot he recommends.
“Customers walk in, we sign them up and bill their insurance,” Gowda said. “Or, we can bill Medicare. Whatever they need done, we can help.”
When the paper work is finished, Gowda gives the injection. While Gowda said the flu season hasn’t been as bad as last year, he recommends getting a flu immunization.
“Once you get your shot, you’re 80 percent covered,” Gowda said. “There’s still a chance of getting the flu. But it’s important to get the immunization.”
For some people, the flu can turn into pneumonia, which can be fatal. Gowda, who has taken a flu shot for the past five years, said why take the risk.
For seniors who are taking multiple medications, Gowda helps organize their pill taking by packaging their medication in a bubble pack. For someone who is taking six pills at a time, he packages them together and puts them in morning, noon and evening packaging. That helps answer their question, “Did I take that?”
“So, all they have to do is just pop it open,” Gowda said. “It’s all about convenience.” With so many pills to take, Gowda understands that it can be confusing.
Hawks Prairie Pharmacy also delivers medications locally for free of charge. This makes it convenient for some people who have to depend on transportation assistance.
With 1,620 square feet in his newly built pharmacy, Gowda has counter space for non-prescription drugs and health care products like braces. Hawks Prairie Pharmacy is an independent, locally owned pharmacy with competitive prices. Gowda prides himself on giving friendly one-on-one service. Customer service is a priority.
In addition to giving immunizations and filling prescriptions, Gowda also does some compounding in filling orders. And if you’re having trouble getting out of your car, Hawks Prairie Pharmacy also has a convenient drive through service. Finally, Gowda’s pharmacy also has a mobile app to make prescription orders easy.
Gowda can help walk customers through health care plan options. His computer software pulls up all the information and shows all the rates.
“It shows everything,” Gowda said. “It’s easy. I can also help with Medicare. People can get confused with Medicare. Then they don’t know what to do or what plans to use. We can help.”
Hawks Prairie Pharmacy
2539 Marvin Rd NE #E
Lacey , WA 98516
Hours:
Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday – 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
