For Blake Roche, pharmacy isn’t just a profession—it’s a legacy. As a third-generation pharmacist working alongside his father in rural South Carolina, Blake carries on a tradition that began in 1966 when his grandfather first opened Roche Pharmacy. “We’ve been in the community ever since,” he shares. “We value our patients and that small-town appeal.”

Roche Pharmacy is known for more than just prescriptions. With a classic soda fountain, an old-school ice cream dipping cabinet, and familiar faces behind the counter, the pharmacy is as much a community hub as it is a healthcare provider. “Half the people come in for ice cream and sodas. The other half come for high-quality pharmacy care. We know everybody by name,” Blake says. “That whole independent pharmacy shtick you hear pretty often—it’s true here.”

In a town of fewer than 1,200 people, Roche Pharmacy stands out by simply doing the basics well—and doing them with care. “We don’t officially offer delivery, but we’ll still take things to patients when they need us,” Blake says. One unique service is a donation-based DME loaner program, offering walkers, scooters, and other equipment to the community at no charge.

Being the only pharmacy within a 25- to 30-minute drive means they often welcome patients from neighboring towns—many of whom stay after their first visit. “They come looking for a medication that’s out of stock elsewhere but end up liking us and sticking around.”

Like many independent pharmacies, Roche Pharmacy has faced its share of challenges. “Purchasing is a big problem—it takes a lot of time,” Blake explains. “Juggling primaries and secondaries to stay ahead of reimbursement is tough.”

But Blake says being part of IPC has helped lighten the load. “IPC helps a lot with that. The recent addition of SureCost at no cost has been a big help. Lisa checks in with me often. They treat us fairly, and I appreciate the rebates and member equity payments. It’s high touch support we don’t always get from our primary supplier.”

Blake isn’t chasing flashy trends—he’s focused on optimizing what already works. “When I got here, we didn’t even have an immunization program,” he says. “We’re still catching up and improving what we’ve got.” From adding point-of-care testing to adapting to law changes that expand pharmacists’ clinical roles, Blake is optimistic about the future.

He’s also hopeful about growing legislative momentum around pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. “PBMs are finally being held to task, but we need to keep pushing. It’s been a problem for a long time.”

At the end of the day, Blake’s focus is clear: “Keep the OTC shelves stocked. Keep the soda fountain running. Keep our community happy.”