I could not agree more with your article, "Drugstore deserts, Rural America is losing its pharmacies," (Nov. 14). In my career as a pharmacist, I have seen many independent pharmacies in our region close their doors including mine. Some that come to mind just east of the Thames River alone include: Gales Ferry Drug, Higgins Pharmacy, Mystic Pharmacy, Olde Mistick Village Pharmacy, Mystic Pharmacy II, Corner Pharmacy, Colonial Pharmacy, Long Hill Drug, Medicine Shoppe, and most recently Fort Hill Pharmacy. To the best of my knowledge the towns of Ledyard, Preston, North Stonington, Old Mystic and Voluntown do not even have a pharmacy. That being said, the author missed one very important reason why an independent pharmacy may also close: The expenses unrelated to prescriptions which still must be paid out of the profits. By those I mean rent (if building is not owned), payroll, utilities, malpractice insurance, gasoline/company vehicle maintenance if the pharmacy delivers, building/property repair and maintenance, taxes, CPA services, advertising, office supplies, postage, and credit card fees to name a few. It is no wonder so many independent pharmacies have closed.

Douglas Chung

Ledyard

Former owner of Ledyard Pharmacy