To: All Franchise Owners
From: Pharmacy Franchise Owners Association
Date: March 5th, 2009

Re: New Franchise Offering Due to the recent announcement by Medicine Shoppe International that they will be making a new offering that will change the franchise relationship, PFOA has engaged Leonard Vines of the Saint Louis, MO law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. to review the new agreement on behalf of the PFOA and share that review with PFOA member owners.

We are sending this letter to PFOA members as well as all franchise owners as a reminder to get adequate legal advice prior to signing any contract that affects your business relationship. The Federal Trade Commission requires that all Franchise Disclosure Documents include the following language: “Read all of your contract carefully. Buying a franchise is a complicated investment. Take your time to decide. If possible, show your contract and this information to an advisor, like a lawyer or an accountant.

“PFOA would like to extend another membership offer to non-member store owners. By joining now, you will be entitled to receive a copy of the legal review memorandum of the new agreement. The cost of hiring an attorney to review the new franchise agreement alone would probably be more than the membership fee of $1,000.00. And, by becoming a member of the PFOA, you will receive additional benefits as well.

The mission of PFOA has never been more clear: “To preserve, protect and promote the interests of pharmacy franchise owners”

Our web site is www.pfoai.org. We are also a member of the Federation of Pharmacy Networks (FPN). FPN is a group purchasing organization affiliation of 22 of the major buying groups representing over 13,000 independent pharmacies. We have full access to their numerous buying contracts. Their web site is www.fnp.org. We also have several separate purchasing and business contracts administered directly through PFOA. Our office is in Saint Louis and is available for support and information.

If you would like more information or have an interest in joining PFOA, please contact Nancy at our office via phone, fax or email. Our membership application is also enclosed. Nancy’s email address is: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it