ESPC History

In 1977, Richard Backer, R.PH., established the East Side Prescription Center at 632 Hope street in Providence. He renovated the existing pharmacy that had been in existence since the 1930's, expanding and up-dating the facility to incorporate the use of technology into the practice of pharmacy in order to provide superior customer/patient service.  He initiated many firsts in community pharmacy at East Side Prescription Center. ESPC was the first retail pharmacy in RI to use a computer in the filling, dispensing, and the management of prescriptions. ESPC was the first pharmacy in RI to submit electronic prescription claims to insurance companies and their intermediaries. ESPC was the first pharmacy in RI to install a Pharmacy Robotic Dispensing System (ScriptPro.com) enabling the staff to become virtually error free while allowing them time to provide a higher level of patient service.  All of these firsts and innovations serve to emphasize the ESPC philosophy of delivering consistent customer service of the highest quality.

In the early 1980s, Mr. Backer saw the need for quality professional prescription compounding and became the first RI pharmacy to enroll in the Prescription Compounding Centers of America (PCCA). He also became an early member of the International Association of Compounding Pharmacists (IACP). Recently, the East Side Prescription Center was the first RI community pharmacy to be awarded a certificate of national accreditation by the Heathcare Quality Association On Accreditation (HQAA) in recognition of their commitment to excellence. We emphasize our dedication to quality patient/customer services.

The professional staff is headed Dr. Joseph Sayles, PharmD. and assisted by staff pharmacists Deborah Consove, R.Ph. and Eli Fass, R.Ph. along with registered pharmacy technician, Jai-Lee Davis. The East Side Prescription Center is the only independent pharmacy in the historic East Side of Providence.  In addition to prescription services we also offer a wide selection of wines, beer and liquor, a convenience grocery department, ATM, keys made and many other services.   Located one mile north of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design, we service their student and faculty populations with free delivery service to their health services. Johnson and Wales University and Providence College also find us convenient. We accept almost all health insurance plans including BCBSRI, United Health, Neighborhood Health Plans, Tufts Health, and many national plans.

In addition to the resident East Side neighborhood, we also provide prescription services to many assisted living facilities, group homes, and some nursing patients. We provide custom packaging for prescriptions (blister packs, salad packs, daily reminder packs) for improved medication management.

If you are already one of our customers, thank you for your patronage!  If you are not, give us a try.  We are proud to serve you and think you will be pleasantly surprised.