Jeff Harrell

A peninsula pharmacist was chosen to lead a nationwide organization of independent pharmacists, it was announced last week.

Jeff Harrell, Ilwaco native and owner of Peninsula Pharmacies, was installed as president of the National Community Pharmacists Association for 2024-25 by the group’s House of Delegates at its annual convention in Columbus, Ohio late last month.

The NCPA was founded in 1898 and represents nearly 19,000 pharmacies that employ more than 205,000 people throughout the country. Harrell has been a member of the group since 2002.

“The landscape of pharmacy has changed,” Harrell said in his inaugural speech delivered during the House of Delegates meeting. “Cash flow in the last year was as tough as it has ever been. The casualties have been countless, and the closures and consolidation of pharmacies have been catastrophic in some areas, leaving many pharmacy deserts. However, the pharmacy economist in me is looking forward to our future, and I could not be more excited for our profession.”

Peninsula Pharmacies has locations in Long Beach, Ilwaco and Ocean Park, as well as Raymond and Centralia. Harrell also co-owns more than 35 pharmacies and serves as the CEO of Cascadia Pharmacy Group, an alliance of independent community pharmacies with partners in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

A graduate of Washington State University, Harrell also serves on the board of American Associated Pharmacies and AlignX, an independently owned pharmacy services administration organization. NCPA’s news release announcing his appointment call him a “leading authority on technology and innovations in pharmacy practice.”

Harrell received the Bowl of Hygeia award in 2023 from the Washington State Pharmacy Association, which is given to pharmacists who have demonstrated outstanding community service and leadership. The award highlighted his role with the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center, which he helped found in memory of his daughter, Dylan, who passed away due to DIPG brain cancer in 2020.

Harrell and his family own and operate several other businesses throughout the peninsula, including Dylan’s Cottage Bakery, Funland Family Fun Center and the soon-to-open Sandbar Food Court.