Value Drug to run St. Francis pharmacies

Advertiser Staff and News Services

St. Francis Healthcare System officials said yesterday they hope to shift operation of their two out-patient pharmacies to a private contractor by September.

Officials have selected Value Drug Ltd. of Honolulu, doing business as Pharmacare, to take over pharmacies at the system's two medical centers on O'ahu, said Maggie Jarrett, St. Francis vice president. Pharmacare co-owner Byron Yoshino confirmed yesterday that his company is finalizing the agreement with St. Francis. Yoshino also owns 'Aiea Medical Pharmacy.

Jarrett said the decision to seek a private firm to take over the money-losing pharmacies came as part of the health care system's larger evaluation of its costs and services. The deal is subject to final approval of the St. Francis board of directors.

The two pharmacies employ five full-time and 11 part-time workers. Jarrett said all are expected to remain with the pharmacies in the transition.

Correction: This version of the St. Francis story clarifies that the pharmacies in question are for out patients and that all workers are expected to remain with the pharmacies in the transition.