Rotarians learn about pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry has experienced a lot of change over the years, and the Rotary Club of Weirton learned about some of those changes from a local pharmacist during the clubs recent meeting.

On Wednesday, Rotary members heard from Vince DeCaria of Marland Heights Pharmacy, who has been a pharmacist for approximately 30 years.

Weve seen a lot of changes over the years, DeCaria said, explaining he feels he and the industry have grown together.

DeCaria said there are treatments available through the pharmacist now that never would have been thought of even 20 years ago, including things to assist with pain management, cancer and sexual dysfunction.

DeCaria explained that he started his working life after graduating from St. Vincent College and began teaching locally and then substitute teaching in Pittsburgh. Eventually, he also got interested in counseling and began attending classes at Duquesne University. He said one day he stopped at the Thrift Drug store in downtown Weirton, where his brother, Tony, was working. That day, he said, was the day he became interested in the idea of becoming a pharmacist.

He said he began working through the pharmaceutical program at Duquesne, eventually getting student jobs at Thrift locations in Pennsylvania and in Weirton. He said, however, working in a pharmacy for a large company didnt allow him to be as customer-friendly as he would have liked. DeCaria said he grew up learning to always be as helpful as possible to the customers while working at the family business.

Probably the best education I ever got was working at the International Market, DeCaria said.

He said that eventually he and his brother received an opportunity to take over an independent pharmacy in East Liverpool, Ohio, where they were able to work more closely with the customers.

This was a more professional and rewarding experience, he said.

After taking over that location, the brothers started patient profiles and became some of the first in the area to start offering blood glucose meters.

Over the next several years, DeCaria Brothers Inc. also took over A&B Pharmacy in Steubenville, and Padden Pharmacy in Wheeling. These pharmacies helped bring computers into the business and reintroduce compounding to the area.

Over the years, DeCaria Brothers Inc. has grown to include eight pharmacy locations, including one in a local nursing home, and 18 pharmacists.

He said, unlike many bigger businesses, he and his brother still work and get to know their customers and employees. He said they know much of what their employees deal with and try to help in any way they can.

We try not to nickel and dime so much when it comes to those things, DeCaria said.

He also said, while there are several locations in the business, and each pharmacy is networked, they treat each store as if it is an independent pharmacy.

Were not a chain, DeCaria said. We take a different approach.

DeCaria said they recently acquired a pharmacy in Moon Township, Pa. He said he and his brother still spend time working in each of their locations, although he does spend much of his time at Marland Heights Pharmacy.

As for the future, DeCaria said he doesnt know what it holds as technology continues to move ahead and new types of medications become available.

It can go on and on, DeCaria said. The future is even brighter.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)