Haggen closures impact Klamath Falls pharmacies

Klamath Falls, Ore. – It’s taking longer to get prescriptions filled in Klamath Falls.

Klamath Falls Fred Meyer Director Bill Patterson says business is up at his pharmacy…

“Probably 50% – It’s been really busy.”

The spike in business is due to the recent shutdown of two Klamath Falls Haggen stores with pharmacies.

Haggen is also closing stores in Ashland and Grants Pass.

Marty Combs of the Klamath Falls Bi-Mart says he’s seeing more drug customers from Haggen.

“We welcome the increased business, obviously.”  Said Combs.  “And I’ve transferred some folks from the main store to the pharmacy.”

Sky Lakes Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy Manager Dave Crawford says the added business also means more paperwork, and longer lines…’

“So it has added to the time it takes to certainly get the information needed to fill a prescription.”

Fred Meyer’s Bill Patterson has hired 5 new people to help meet the pharmacy demand – but he’s still asking customers to be patient.

“There’s those that are frustrated because there’s a line.”  Explains Patterson.  “And especially it’s those that have been with us forever – and they can kind of get a little frustrated because they’re waiting in line behind the new people.”

Ten years ago, there were 10 pharmacies in Klamath Falls.

That number is now down to 6.

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