VANCOUVER, Wash. — Ike Ekeya, owner of Square Care Medical and Pharmacy in Vancouver, says he might have to close down before the year ends if he doesn’t get more foot traffic. He stresses that he often receives minimal reimbursements for fulfilling prescriptions.
“I love helping people take care of their health,” Ekeya said. “People send me emails, people text me, and that’s what I do.”
Ekeya spent years as a pharmacist in the emergency room before opening his own pharmacy in 2022 — a lifelong dream he’s had since growing up in Nigeria.
“As an immigrant, this is a lifelong dream — to build something where you never thought you could,” he said.
However, Ekeya may have to shut down before 2024 due to low reimbursement fees from insurance companies.
“Reimbursement has actually gotten lower and lower, and it’s going to keep getting lower,” he said. “It’s not realistic to fill a prescription for somebody for 90 days and get paid 67 cents. The question is for the 67 cents, is it for the vial? Is it for the label? Is it for the work you’re putting into it? How can you survive doing that?”
Competing with large chain pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS adds to his struggles with foot traffic. But Ekeya is confident he can provide personal and thorough service that customers don’t get at larger pharmacies.
“If you go to any chain store, you’ll be lucky if they get your prescription ready and hand it to you,” he said. “We take the time to talk to patients and figure out how best to help them.”
Customer Kristin Heuer, who has been getting her medications at Square Care since they opened, appreciates the service.
“There’s never been a place like this to get my prescriptions before,” Heuer said. “He can get me information that I otherwise can’t get without going into lengthy, time-consuming methods.”
Ekeya doesn’t have a specific cut-off date for closing, saying he’s hanging on as the only independently owned pharmacy left in Clark County and has reached out to the Washington Pharmacy Association for help.
“I want to be in this community,” he said. “I want to serve this community and do everything I can.”
One last thing that may help Square Care Pharmacy survive is the upcoming vaccination season, which Ekeya hopes will bring in added business.