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Maier Family Pharmacy In The News!

Maier Family Pharmacy sometimes finds itself in the local news headlines.  You can read some of our latest news stories on this page.

Local pharmacy offers safe disposal of expired

or unwanted prescription drugs

Area residents have a safe medication disposal drop-off location at Maier Family Pharmacy in Mapleton.  The pharmacy participates in Iowa’s TakeAway^TM Environmental Return System, a community pharmacy-based pharmaceutical collection and disposal pilot program.

“The TakeAway program is a great way for patients to safely dispose of their old medications without the worry that they may contaminate water supplies or be diverted for drug use or abuse by those for whom the prescriptions weren’t written,” said Ed Maier, R.Ph., owner of Maier Family Pharmacy.  “The old medications are shipped to a incineration facility in Texas, where the drugs incineration is witnessed by law enforcement officials,” Maier continued.

“We are routinely asked when visiting patient’s homes, especially after a recent death, about what to do with unused medications.  It’s great to have this options available for families so old medications don’t get flushed down the drain or added to the landfills,” added Darin Hagerdon, Maier Family Pharmacy’s Home Healthcare Coordinator.

Any pharmaceutical product, prescription or OTC, can be accepted for disposal.  The program does exclude controlled substances, syringes, lancets and liquids of more than 4 fl. Oz.

Maier Family Pharmacy’s TakeAway disposal box is located next to the blood pressure machine and any pharmacy staff member can assist with the disposal of your old medications.  For more information about this drug disposal system, visit www.iarx.org or www.maierpharmacy.com.

Maier Pharmacy participates in Healthy Heart Awareness Event

Maier Family Pharmacy owner, Ed Maier, R.Ph., was the invited 'Ask The Pharmacist' at the annual Healthy Heart Awareness event sponsored by Burgess Health Center in Onawa, IA on March 12, 2011.  Maier Pharmacy's booth included information about cholesterol medications, levels and how to lower your cholesterol through diet and medication.  We also had information about our Oxygen, CPAP, diabetic shoes and other home healthcare equipment.  Darin Hagerdon, Home Healthcare Coordinator for Maier Pharmacy was also on-hand to answer questions about the equipment and Medicare / Insurance coverage for that equipment.

Thank you to Burgess Health Center for inviting Maier Family Pharmacy to be a part of your event.  The event had a Red Hawaiian theme this year...

Maier Pharmacy is proud to support local 'Hometown Hero'

Maier Family Pharmacy played a support role as the sales outlet for two books written by a local 6th grade student recently featured as a 'Hometown Hero," on KMEG 14 from Sioux City, IA. 

Shelby Hagerdon, daughter of Darin Hagerdon, Home Healthcare Coordinator, sold several dozen books that she wrote and illustrated prior to Christmas to help raise almost $150 for the Siouxland Humane Society.  The second book, 'The Puppy Who Saved Easter,' is now available for sale with half it's proceeds also going to benefit the humane society.

You are encouraged to visit Miss Hagerdon's website for more details about the books, other methods of ordering the books, other art and even downloadable wallpaper images for your computer.  www.shelbybooksandart.com

Maier drivers brave the snow to deliver medicines on time

Brutal winter weather didn't slow the delivery drivers of Maier Family Pharmacy, deliveries were made to all locations if at all possible.  With wind chills reaching 20 degrees below zero, blowing snow from the 10+ inches received on Jan. 9 & 10, made deliveries difficult.  Substitute drivers, using their own vehicles in some cases, managed to make sure our patient's were taken care of.

Maier Family Pharmacy does request that at least a pathway is cleared from the street or driveway to the door for our delivery persons.  Please either clean a pathway yourself or hire someone to clear out the snow to make reaching you a little easier.

Health Mart transition complete - time for an Open House

Maier Family Pharmacy has been undergoing a transition over the past few months to become a Health Mart pharmacy.  Yes, Ed Maier, still owns the pharmacy, but out looks and many products have changed. 

As a Health Mart pharmacy, Maier Family Pharmacy can offer our patients a better selection of products at a more competitive price.  Be sure to check out our selection of 'Sunmark' brand products and save even more!

To celebrate the changes, Maier Family Pharmacy held an Open House on Friday, August 27th.  Friends and neighbors stopped by for a FREE Hot Dog and drink and checked out our specials through-out the pharmacy and Gift Gallery.

Rain doesn't dampen spirits at 4th of July parade

With the threat of an afternoon rain shower looming after a morning of showers and thunderstorms, area resident's patriotic spirits weren't dampened with hundreds of people attending and participating in the Mapleton 4th of July Parade.

Maier Family Pharmacy, a long-time parade participant, adorned their float with Dr. Comfort diabetic shoes this year and pulled the float with the new MFP Drug Buggy.  Riding atop of a transport chair on the float was Shelby Hagerdon, daughter of Darin Hagerdon, Home Healthcare Coordinator for Maier Pharmacy.  She tossed candy to the crowds from a commode located right in front of her.  Along the sides of the float were samples from Dr. Comfort's wide selection of diabetic shoes for men and women.  Leslie, wife of Darin, also tossed candy to onlookers from the Drug Buggy during the parade.

Pictured is the Maier Family Pharmacy float for the 2010 4th of July parade in Mapleton.  Shelby Hagerdon is seated on the float and Leslie Hagerdon is in the Drug Buggy.

Maier HHC attends MedTrade convention in Las Vegas

Maier Family Pharmacy Home Healthcare Coordinator attended the Spring MedTrade convention in Las Vegas, May 11-13, 2010.  The convention, held at the Sands Convention Center, featured hundreds of product vendors from all over the world and included dozens of educational seminars and certification / training sessions.

"It's a great experience to see all the new products and services available to assist patients with everyday living tasks that allow those patients with special needs to live comfortably in their own homes as long as possible," said Darin Hagerdon, HHC for Maier Pharmacy.

"I was able to speak directly with the manufacturers of many of the products we offer to our customers.  Dr. Comfort and Orthofeets had demos of the new shoes for both men and women that they will be releasing this year.  Pride and Golden Technologies had several examples of their new lift chairs and fabrics.  ResMed and Respironics both had their new respiratory equipment on-hand to look at and test out.  From Canes to a wheelchair accessible motorcycle, all the vendors were eager to show us what they had to offer," Hagerdon continued.

"Sigvaris, a major compression hosiery manufacturer, was offering an educational session and fitting certification course for fitting and educating patients on compression hosiery.  I'm proud to say that Maier Family Pharmacy now has a certified compression hosiery fitter on staff," Hagerdon added.

"We encourage our employees to further their education and require them to make sure they have the necessary training and educational requirements to be able to perform at the highest level of competence in their assigned job responsibilities," said Ed Maier, R.Ph., Owner. 

"Having an accredited home healthcare department in our pharmacy is a great asset to not only our pharmacy, but to the communities we serve.  It's part of our mission to provide the best healthcare options to our patients and I believe that our pharmacy team-members are providing those healthcare options," Maier added.

"I'm looking forward to sharing the information I learned at the Sigvaris compression hosiery fitting course with fellow staff members to increase their knowledge about the health benefits this type of hosier offers to patients with or who are prone to various leg conditions and/or diseases," said Hagerdon.

Maier Family Pharmacy holds staff training sessions every other month to educate staff members in the latest equipment, policies and procedures, etc.

Maier Family Pharmacy says goodbye to Good Neighbor and hello to Health Mart

On April 1, 2010, Maier Family Pharmacy said goodbye to its Good Neighbor Pharmacy brand and welcomed in their new Health Mart Pharmacy brand.  Physical changes such as new products, different signage and more competitive pricing will be taking place over the next few months.

Patrons will be happy to know that the pharmacy is still locally owned by Ed Maier, R.Ph., and that this change of suppliers will in no way change the great service that Maier Family Pharmacy has provided to its patients for over 130 years.

The most visual change in inventory will be the integration of "Sunmark" private label merchandise.  Sunmark products, Heath Mart Pharmacy's private label products, will replace the Good Neighbor Pharmacy private label products that Maier Family Pharmacy has carried for several years. 

"We're planning on holding an Open House later this spring or early summer to showcase the changes to the community," said Darin Hagerdon, Home Healthcare Coordinator, "I think our patients and patrons will be pleased with the changes."

"Our relationships with Health Mart and McKesson give us a greater selection of products in the pharmacy and a greater selection of products that are available with our 'next-day' service," added Ed Maier, Owner of Maier Family Pharmacy, "this change will help us remain competitive in the marketplace while still providing the best products and services to our patients."

Maier Family Pharmacy receives accreditation nod and Oxygen award

With a Medicare accreditation deadline of September 30, 2009 looming for suppliers of home medical equipment, Maier Family Pharmacy and their ConvaCare Services franchise have both passed their accreditation site visits.

Medicare is requiring that all home medical equipment suppliers that file claims to Medicare Part B insurance be accredited by the end of September or lose their supplier status.  The purpose of accreditation is to ensure patients that their supplier meets all of Medicare’s supplier standards.  Maier Pharmacy chose the Community Health Accreditation Program, Inc. (CHAP) to provide their accreditation services.  CHAP has been an accrediting organization since 1965 and is based out of Washington, D.C.

“It took a lot of time and effort to meet the 400 plus CHAP requirements for accreditation,” said Darin Hagerdon, Home Healthcare Coordinator for Maier Pharmacy.  “We had to do a few minor construction projects, write and enact several new policies and procedures, and have several staff training sessions,” Hagerdon continued.

“Our patients have noticed some of the new changes,” stated Barb Pederson, Health Care Consultant for the pharmacy.  Pederson continued, “The accreditation process forced us to rethink many of our policies and required us to add additional patient and safety documentation in the delivery process.”

“The CHAP site visitor spent three days going through paperwork, quizzing pharmacy staff members and visiting with patients about the quality of care they receive from our home healthcare department, said Ed Maier, R.Ph., owner of Maier Family Pharmacy.”  “The site visitor was very impressed with the level of service we’re providing to our patients and recommended to the review board that we receive accreditation without additional follow-up visits,” Maier continued.

Maier Family Pharmacy will be visited by a CHAP site visitor again in three years for a renewal of their accreditation.

Pharmacy receives Golden Gas Award

Maier Family Pharmacy received a Golden Gas Award from ConvaCare Services, the pharmacy’s home healthcare franchise, for growth in 2^nd quarter Oxygen sales.

“We’re all proud of the new home healthcare products and services that Maier Family Pharmacy is now providing.  Home and portable Oxygen systems are a cornerstone of our business and in these uncertain economic times, it’s nice to see some positive sale numbers,” said Hagerdon.  “We take the time to get to know our patients, their needs and answer any concerns that they or their family members may have… and they seem to like that personal service,” Hagerdon continued.

“This is the pharmacy’s 4^th Golden Gas Award in the last 2 years,” stated Pederson. “We put a lot of work into making sure our patients receive the best possible care and it’s nice to be recognized by the franchise for our efforts.”

Maier Family Pharmacy contracted with ConvaCare Services, Inc., based out of Bloomington, Ind., in November, 2006.  ConvaCare is a subdivision of Lincare, a nationwide provider of home healthcare equipment.

Maier Family Pharmacy wins back-to-back ‘Golden Gas’ awards

ConvaCare Services, of Bedford Ind., Maier Family Pharmacy’s home healthcare franchise, has awarded the pharmacy back-to-back ‘Golden Gas’ awards for the 4^th quarter of 2007 and the 1^st quarter of 2008 for their exceptional growth in home and portable oxygen business.

Maier Pharmacy’s oxygen patient list grew by 50 percent in the 4^th quarter of 2007 and 83 percent in the 1^st quarter of 2008.  “As more and more patients find out that we have home oxygen and other home healthcare equipment available, we find they are requesting that their prescribers call us to service their needs,” said Darin Hagerdon, Home Healthcare Coordinator for Maier Pharmacy in Mapleton.  “I attribute our growth in oxygen business to our fast response time, availability of equipment and word of mouth advertising,” continued Hagerdon.

“Elderly patients are realizing that with only minor modifications to their home and lifestyle, they can live independently in their homes a lot longer than ever before. As we celebrate our 130^th year in business this year, we want our patients to know that we’re committed to providing the healthcare products and services they need to get the most out of life,” said Ed Maier, Owner of Maier Family Pharmacy.

Maier Family Pharmacy also won a ‘Golden Gas Award’ for the 2^nd quarter of 2007 when they recorded a 150 percent growth in oxygen business.

The pharmacy has also recently updated their website to include information about their home healthcare products and services.  Visit www.maierpharmacy.com for more information or prescription refills.

Shingles vaccine covered by Medicare Part-D

Medicare Part-D prescription drug plans now cover the cost of getting immunized against Herpes Zoster (Shingles.)  Depending on the prescription drug coverage selected by the patient, there may be a small co-pay associated with the vaccination.

Shingles, a painful skin rash often with blisters, usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks.  Its main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe in some cases.  Other symptoms can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.  Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to very serious problems including blindness, brain inflammation or even death.

About 20 percent of all patients that develop shingles will continue to have severe pain even after the rash has cleared up.  This is called post-herpetic neuralgia.

Shingles is far more common in people 50 and older than in younger people.  It is also more common in people whose immune systems are weakened because of a disease such as cancer.  At least 1 million people a year in the United States get shingles.

Locally, Medicare Part-D patients can get a single immunization shot at Maier Family Pharmacy with a prescription from their physician.  Ed Maier, R.Ph, was recently certified by the Iowa Pharmacy Association through the American Pharmacists Association to give immunization shots.

A single shingles vaccination shot lasts a lifetime and shouldn’t need to be repeated.  More information about this vaccination can be found at www.cdc.gov/nip or at www.maierpharmacy.com.

Free In-Home Diabetic Shoe Fittings

All diabetic shoe patients in Monona, Woodbury, Ida and Crawford counties in Iowa are eligible to receive a Free In-Home Fitting for Diabetic Shoes.  One of our certified shoe fitters will come to your house to size and deliver your shoes.  Call 712-881-1033 or 1-800-383-4743 to schedule an in-home visit.

Old Medications

You can safely dispose of your old medications at Maier Family Pharmacy. Click Here to learn more about our Old Medications Disposal Program.