Member Spotlight: Riverside Pharmacy
Riverside Pharmacy: A Pharmacy That Understands You
For Sam, the decision to open an independent pharmacy was not about leaving a job. It was about reclaiming the reason he became a pharmacist in the first place.
After spending 18 years working in corporate pharmacy, he saw firsthand how patient care was often limited by metrics, time constraints, and rigid processes. Conversations were rushed. Questions went unanswered. Relationships were secondary.
“After working all those years, we see how the communication gap exists between the patient,” Sam shared. “We can’t spend extra time with the customer because every time there’s a metric we have to follow.”
In 2021, he opened Riverside Pharmacy with a clear goal: create a pharmacy where patients felt heard, supported, and cared for without a stopwatch running in the background.
Nearly five years later, Riverside Pharmacy has become exactly that.
Filling a Critical Gap in a Remote Community
Bullhead City is a small, remote market where access to pharmacists and consistent pharmacy care can be challenging. Large chains struggle to staff locations, and when stores close, patients are often left with limited options.
Sam saw an opportunity not just to grow a business, but to serve a real need.
“We get people coming every day from the big chains,” he said. “We go one on one with customers, taking care of them, spending time with them. They’re happy, and they don’t want to go back.”
That focus on service has driven Riverside’s growth while strengthening its role as a trusted healthcare resource in the community.
What Makes Riverside Pharmacy Stand Out
Customer service is the foundation of Riverside Pharmacy, but accessibility is what truly sets it apart.
The pharmacy offers free delivery throughout the tri-state area, including Arizona, California, and Nevada. When a Rite Aid location in Needles closed, Riverside stepped in to ensure patients were not left without access to medications.
“There was no pharmacy there,” Sam explained. “We were the pharmacy that stepped up, and we still offer free delivery to that area.”
Home visits for vaccinations are also part of Riverside’s commitment, particularly for patients with mobility challenges. These services are provided without charging patients extra, even when it means absorbing additional costs.
For Sam, these decisions are not about short term margins. They are about long-term trust.
Navigating Industry Challenges with Intention
Like many independent pharmacy owners, reimbursement remains the most difficult and ongoing challenge. PBM driven pricing pressures often result in dispensing medications below cost, creating strain behind the scenes and confusion for patients at the counter.
“The biggest challenge is the reimbursement,” Sam said. “Sometimes we don’t even get the cost of the drug.”
Despite this, Riverside Pharmacy continues to carry medications that larger chains may avoid, ensuring patients can access what they need without delays. While it may not always be the easiest business decision, it aligns with Sam’s commitment to care.
How IPC Supports Riverside Pharmacy
Sam has partnered with IPC since opening Riverside Pharmacy in April 2021, using IPC Warehouse as a secondary wholesaler to support product availability and purchasing needs.
Over time, he has also discovered additional IPC resources that help strengthen his business beyond the counter. Through IPC programs and partner offerings, Sam has gained better insight into purchasing patterns, revenue opportunities, and marketing support he did not realize was available.
“I didn’t have a clue there were so many things out there,” he shared. “After getting involved with IPC programs, I started seeing how we can bring these things into the pharmacy and help with marketing and growth.”
For Sam, IPC is not just a supplier. It is a source of education, options, and support that continues to evolve alongside his pharmacy.
Staying Connected Through Community and Content
Riverside Pharmacy at Catholic Charities in Bullhead City, AZ.
Community engagement is not an occasional effort for Riverside Pharmacy. It is built into daily operations.
From health fairs and local events to partnerships with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Riverside consistently shows up where the community gathers. Sam even provides in-home vaccinations for patients who cannot travel, reinforcing the pharmacy’s role as a true healthcare partner.
On social media, Riverside keeps things local and authentic. Content focuses on real moments, real people, and real impact. Managing this presence takes effort, especially without a third-party team, but it helps patients see the pharmacy as part of their everyday lives. That extra effort has paid off by keeping Riverside Pharmacy visible, relatable, and trusted.
Riverside Pharmacy team was awarded the Best of Business Rate 2025.
Advice for Fellow Independent Pharmacy Owners
When asked about what comes next, Sam is thoughtful and realistic. Growth does not always mean expansion. Sometimes it means sustainability.
“I just want to keep going like this,” he said. “Work hard, believe in yourself, and take care of the community and the people who take care of you.”
It is advice shaped by experience, persistence, and a deep connection to the people he serves.
Recharging Outside the Pharmacy
When the pharmacy doors close, Sam shifts his focus to family. Between basketball practices, soccer games, and time with his kids, he finds balance away from the counter.
Those moments help him reset, recharge, and return to Riverside Pharmacy ready to serve his community once again.
