David J. Coury knows how to work through adversity. After working in a family business for more than 25 years, he and five of his siblings left due to issues with succession
planning. With no income and loss of ownership in the family business, Coury led his
siblings to found Pharmacy Management Group in 2001.
The start was shaky for the Westlake-based company, with Coury carrying most of the responsibility as president. Cash flow was low in the beginning, but the company has grown 30
percent per year over its first five years.
PMG, a long-term-care pharmacy that focuses on management and delivery of medications
to elderly residents in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, also faced a major hurdle in
2006, when the government implemented its Medicare Prescription Plan (Part D). Coury
helped residents in long-term care homes, physicians, facilities and local communities navigate
the new plan.
Coury’s goal was to provide higher-level services to nursing homes by being more efficient
than the competition. PMG provided uniformity in medication purchasing, supplies, medical
records and other products, and now services more than 75 facilities.
Coury also implemented innovations, including becoming the first pharmacy in the country
to use a document management system and go virtually paperless. This helped PMG open its
branch offices in Sharon, Pa., and Columbus. Since implementing this in 2003, more than 35
pharmacies have visited PMG to see this innovative approach.
Teamwork is important at PMG. The company has grown from 14 to 140 employees, with
eight of the original employees still there. The founding members as well as new employees
play key roles in the decision-making and management of the company. Coury says employees are his company’s most valuable resource and shows this through competitive wages and
benefits, yearly bonuses, and annual company picnics and holiday parties.
HOW TO REACH: Pharmacy Management Group, (440) 617-7646 or www.pmgservices.com