For more than sixty years, Thompson Pharmacy in Altoona, Pennsylvania has remained a family-run business with strong ties to the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. The pharmacy now serves about 10,000 customers annually and provides daily medication deliveries to nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across ten counties, reaching approximately 4,000 patients.
The story began when Bill Thompson Jr., influenced by his mentor Dan Meek (PHARM ’30), chose to study pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh instead of pursuing education. After graduating in 1962, he returned home and eventually purchased Meek’s neighborhood drugstore. He built the business on the principle: “Take care of the customer and they’ll keep coming back.”
Over time, Thompson Pharmacy expanded into several locations throughout Blair County. Despite a nationwide decline in independent pharmacies, it maintained its reputation for personal service.
After Bill Jr.’s death in 2020 at age 81, leadership passed to his son Bill Thompson III (PHARM ’88). The current team includes Bill III’s wife Dana—who manages the gift department started by Anne Thompson in the mid-1980s—his sister Susan Summers (PHARM ’90), his son Bill IV (PHARM ’16, ’18G), and daughter-in-law Allyson Kraft (PHARM ’16, ’18G). Together with their staff of 150 employees, they continue focusing on community service.
Bill III expressed appreciation for the University of Pittsburgh’s role in their journey: “There’s no way our family would be where we are without Pitt,” he said. “Dad always wanted to give back.” Both father and son have received Distinguished Alumni Awards from Pitt’s School of Pharmacy. The family also funds scholarships for Blair County students pursuing pharmacy degrees.
Thompson Pharmacy remains an example of how commitment to customers can sustain a small-town business over generations.
