MO Rep. Eric Burlison visits Neosho pharamcy for American Pharamacists Month

NEOSHO, Mo. — Mitchell's Drug Stores in Neosho invited local pharmacists, the public, state representative Ben Baker, and Congressman Eric Burlison to Thursday's celebration.

Pharmacists came from as far as Branson and Miami for the event. The group toured the drug store, learning about the equipment pharmacists use and the role they play in the community.

After the tour, they discussed the challenges independent and chain pharmacies are currently facing. One of those challenges is how big chains like Walgreens will close 1,200 stores over the next three years. That's on top of the 2,200 pharmacies that have already closed this year.

"Half of those are chain pharmacies and half of those are independent pharmacies. So it's really become a crisis in our country because pharmacies are the first step to health care for the majority of Americans," said Bill Osborn, Community Pharmacists & Osborn Drugs President

"There's lots of of of concerns and lots of issues that we need to try to deal with. So, Fellows, is a very positive. Is it? We really enjoyed being able to have the congressman in and the representative in. And we feel like we're we're, you know, hopefully educating them as well as the public about what kind of things we can do in our pharmacies," said Tim Mitchell, Mitchell's Drug Stores pharmacist and owner.

Mitchell hopes that by bringing up the concerns, it will also help the community learn more about community pharmacies.