Pharmacy Builds on 40-Year Legacy by Putting Patients First

Bintz Pharmacy in Ponca City, Oklahoma, opened its doors in 1979 and is run by brothers Daamon and Matt Bintz, who are second-generation owners of the pharmacy. Their father, Gary, originally purchased the pharmacy and raised his sons in the business, teaching them about customer service and forging relationships.

“This was a great advantage for us that took us everywhere we went in life,” Matt said.

When Gary neared retirement, his sons took over the business, assuming ownership in 2017.

“It’s beneficial to have a fresh set of minds these days, as it’s a totally different business than it used to be. Independent pharmacies are often left holding the short end of the stick, so it can take an immense amount of energy to stay afloat with new ideas and constant critical thinking,” Matt said. “This makes having a partner ideal, so you can share thoughts on some of the harder decisions.”

One of Bintz Pharmacy’s notable features is its 4-lane drive-through, as it is housed in a former bank building. “There are times when we have 12 cars filling the 4 lanes,” Matt said. “When you pair that capacity with our large lobby, we’ve been able to accommodate as many as 20 patients at a time on several occasions.”

Bintz Pharmacy stands out from its competitors in several ways. It employs the highest number of staff members of any local pharmacy, pairing them with robotics to ensure accuracy and keep wait times down. The pharmacy also houses a medication disposal unit for the safety of the community and offers full-time clinical services.

“[Because we have] a clinical pharmacist teamed with a clinical technician, our patients have been receiving personalized and extensive care. We are performing [medication therapy management] and thorough review[s] of patient profiles, getting to know them and their life situation, and we work collaboratively with their doctor to make any necessary changes to their medication regimen,” Matt said.

“Our clinical team is making a great difference in patient health in a market that hasn’t caught up to an outcome/value-based model. We aren’t waiting around for the industry to incentivize patient health,” Matt added.

Bintz Pharmacy is the only compounding lab in North Central Oklahoma that employs a full-time compounder. Popular compounds include hormone replacement therapy, infant and pet medications, low-dose naltrexone, pain relievers, and sedatives.

The staff members at Bintz Pharmacy ensure that patients are greeted as soon as they come through the door and are offered help. “With 20 staff members, virtually no patient has to wait for help, and a pharmacist is always available for consultations,” Matt noted.

And the patients are thankful. “We have been so fortunate to have such a grateful and loyal patient base. Our patients are constantly bringing in doughnuts, candy, thank-you cards, and even flowers,” Matt said. “During the month of December, there probably isn’t a day that the break room isn’t filled with gifts of food for the staff. We are all so thankful for the kindness of our community.”

Matt expressed pride that the pharmacy’s “patients have [fewer adverse] effects, are more adherent in taking their meds, and in turn are healthier because of it.” Furthermore, he said, “the doctors of our community know the additional steps we take in a value-based environment, so they are very receptive to the pioneering collaborative care of our clinical practices.”

The Bintz brothers have been involved with the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association, working on getting new laws passed and regulating pharmacy benefit management practices in the state. “We recently passed a bill that will help patients select the pharmacy of their choice with no co-payment penalty, which allows them to get their medication sooner, with more access to counseling, medication reviews, and a more personal relationship with their pharmacist. The bill also promotes pricing transparency,” Matt said.

Bintz Pharmacy staff members are involved in the community. Matt, for instance, serves on the board of the local senior center and volunteers time educating senior citizens about health care. The pharmacy supports the local chamber of commerce, schools, and sports teams. In his free time, Matt enjoys golfing, spending time with his family, swimming, and traveling. Daamon also enjoys golfing and traveling with his wife, though Matt jokes that his brother prefers “massive amounts of air-conditioning.”

Karen Berger, PharmD, is a pharmacist at an independent pharmacy in northern New Jersey.