Brian Purscell, RPh has joined Smith Drug Company as the Senior Vice President, Pharmacy Solutions. In this newly-created role, Purscell will focus on providing expertise to Smith Drug Company customers in business strategy and development, market analysis and growing their business.

Purscell began his career as a pharmacist with Peoples Drug in Ankeny, Iowa. From there, he went on to serve in executive capacities at both McKesson and Walmart, earning recognition along the way for designing and executing a predictive replenishment system for prescription merchandise, increasing sales through market analysis, staff development and business strategy, and improving pharmacy operations with financial and business strategies.

"Brian brings a wealth of experience to us," said Jeff Foreman, president, Smith Drug Company. "And that experience will be a great benefit to our customers. Smith Drug Company is dedicated to the growth and vitality of independently-owned pharmacies. Adding a veteran pharmacy operations expert to our team is a unique differentiator in the industry. Brian will work with Rick Simerly, our Senior Vice President of Sales and our team of pharmacy business consultants to offer guidance and experience to our independent pharmacy owners. Brian is a leader who has not only been in their shoes as a pharmacist, but who has a track record of successfully turning even struggling pharmacies into profitable businesses without ever losing sight of why they opened their doors to begin with -- to take care of the patient."

A self-described technology enthusiast, Purscell has developed and launched programs that maximize efficiency and productivity with technology solutions. He formed the nation's first electronic system for tracking of pseudoephedrine sales in a retail setting, refined the "Easy Pay" system used to expedite the checkout process, and developed an electronic system for conducting annual controlled substance inventories.

"Smith Drug Company will now be better able to assist our customers with staffing optimization, front-end merchandising, niche products and solutions, inventory control, workflow, systems optimization, specialty at retail, quality performance scores and much more. This will help our customers better serve their patients, increase their sales and grow their bottom line," said Foreman.

"I am thrilled to be part of Smith Drug Company," said Purscell. "The business of pharmacy, of health care overall, is rapidly changing, and this means there are great opportunities for independent pharmacies to excel in what they have always done best -- offer personalized care to patients in their own communities. Smith Drug Company believes, as I do, that independent pharmacies are unique, and incredibly important in the pharmacy landscape. I am looking forward to working with our customers and developing solutions with them that will ensure their success."

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purscell also attended Leadership Institutes at Cornell University and Harvard Business Publishing. During his career, he has been responsible for turning around unprofitable stores, opening new stores and increasing revenues in successful locations.

Purscell has relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina with his wife, Laura, and they are looking forward to being part of the community.

Smith Drug Company is the original division of J M Smith Corporation, and one of America's premier wholesale drug distributors. Launched in 1944, the division serves pharmacies in 25 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands through distribution centers in Spartanburg; Paragould, AR; and Valdosta, GA.

South Carolina's third-largest privately owned company, the J M Smith Corporation is headquartered in Spartanburg and operates through multiple business units: Smith Drug Company, QS/1, Integral Solutions Group, RxMedic Systems, Inc., and Integra LTC Solutions, LLC.