Adel HealthMart is a locally owned, independent pharmacy located on the square in Adel, Iowa. We pride ourselves on our customer service.
04/10/2025
A Message From Both of Us
Over the past few weeks, we’ve done a lot of reflecting—on our careers, our family’s legacy, and the future of pharmacy.
Our industry is in a battle right now. We’re seeing a combination of all-time high drug costs and all-time low reimbursements. That’s a recipe for disaster for small, independent pharmacies like ours. In fact, 31 pharmacies in Iowa have already been forced to close their doors in 2024 alone. These are painful decisions—ones none of us want to make. Like all pharmacists, we want what’s best for our patients and the resources to provide the care you deserve.
Pharmacy has always been in our blood. We grew up around it, spending our childhood at Dowd Drug in Guthrie Center, where our mom and dad worked hard to serve their community. Some of our earliest memories are of going to the store after school, pitching in during high school, and spending time with employees who became like family.
Now, our lives have come full circle. We’ve been in our communities for nearly all our careers and the next generation—our kids—are now the ones growing up in the pharmacy. They watch their moms work hard. We’ve celebrated milestones with our patients, watched children grow into adults, and grieved with families who’ve experienced loss. We truly care about you—our patients—more than you probably realize.
We’re also proud to be small business owners. We believe in our communities and in the entrepreneurial spirit. Right now, the Iowa Legislature has the opportunity to pass meaningful legislation that could help pharmacies like ours keep our doors open. But we can’t do it alone—we need your help. Please visit https://patientsfirst.org/iowa to learn more and contact your legislators.
Every day, we see patients suffer because of decisions made by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—from mail-order mandates and insurance hoops to out-of-control drug pricing. The most heartbreaking part is having to tell a senior their medication will cost nearly $600, while knowing we’ll be filling that prescription at a loss. Pharmacies can’t keep absorbing these costs, and patients shouldn’t be caught in the middle. This legislation is a step toward holding PBMs accountable and protecting access to care.
Just this week, we visited the Iowa State Capitol to speak directly with lawmakers and share these concerns. We’re doing everything we can to advocate—not just for our pharmacies, but for our patients and communities.
Dowd Drug has been serving Iowans for nearly 120 years. Adel HealthMart for almost 17. This is more than a business—it’s our passion and our purpose. We want to keep doing what we love.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for supporting us.
⁃ Julie Priestley and Jane Clausen
