Pharmacy added to business landscape in Monroe

Monroe residents now have a pharmacy right in their own downtown. Monroe Community Pharmacy, located at 112 E. Washington St. on the north side of the square, is a telepharmacy owned by pharmacist Doug Niedermann and opened its doors Monday.

“I’ve driven through Monroe many times and, after learning about telepharmacy, I thought it would be great for Monroe given the town’s size and population, and the fact that there hasn’t been a pharmacy in town,” Niedermann said. “With residents having no option but to drive 40 plus minutes round-trip to get to their nearest pharmacy, I figured it would be a welcome change to have pharmacy access right here in town.”

Operating as a telepharmacy, the business will be staffed by licensed pharmacy technician and Monroe native Rhonda Edwards, and prescriptions will be verified by the pharmacists at the host location in Hiawatha using the secure software system TelePharm. The pharmacists will also use the software to perform patient consultations through a secure video call.

Niedermann, along with part-time pharmacist Susan Hacke, will be the pharmacists verifying prescriptions and counseling Monroe patients virtually via the telepharmacy software. Niedermann will also make in-person visits to Monroe twice a month to provide consultations, vaccinations and other clinical services.

“I’ve heard great feedback from the residents of the community already, and there’s excitement building as we get closer to the grand opening,” Niedermann said. “I’m excited to get more involved in the local community and get to know the people I’m serving.”

Niedermann received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa in 2009. After graduating, he worked for a family owned retail pharmacy in Linn County. As the owners neared retirement, Niedermann said they looked to sell some of their pharmacies and asked if he was interested in purchasing one.

“I took a leap of faith and purchased my first retail pharmacy in 2014,” Niedermann said. “For the past five years, I have embraced the business side of owning a pharmacy and was looking for ways to grow and serve more people.”

Knowing the importance of connecting with the community, Niedermann is using the local bank for his pharmacy business and donating 10 percent of all sales from over-the-counter products to the local school.

“I think it’s really important to support local businesses and schools and to show your commitment to the community as a whole, rather than treating it like a strictly business relationship,” Niedermann said. “I hope this pharmacy has an impact on residents of Monroe in more ways than just a place where they pick up prescriptions.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com