Republic Drug Store
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Pharmacy |
| Founded | 1904 |
| Founder | Jesse "John" Slagle |
| Headquarters | Republic , United States |
| Products | Pharmaceuticals |
| Owner | Ferry County Hospital District (since 2021) |
The Republic Drug Store is a pharmacy situated in Republic, Washington, United States. The original establishment was destroyed by fire in 1917, suspected to be an act of arson; the present building was constructed and completed by 1918. By the year 2003, it held the distinction of being the longest-running family-owned drugstore in Washington state. In 2021, ownership transferred to the Ferry County Hospital District, which later became involved in a 2023 settlement concerning the Controlled Substances Act with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
History
Jesse "John" Slagle founded Republic Drug Store in 1904 after being dispatched by Stewart & Holms Wholesale Drug Company to oversee the liquidation of a drugstore estate. Rather than remaining temporarily, he merged the estate’s inventory with a competing pharmacy he purchased, forming a unified business under the Republic Drug Store name.
Slagle Brothers
Jesse invited his brother Jeff H. Slagle to join the enterprise. In 1908, they expanded operations by acquiring a pharmacy in Kettle Falls from an owner who was retiring. Both locations operated under their joint management until 1914, when the brothers ended their partnership: Jesse kept control of Republic Drug Store, while Jeff assumed ownership of Kettle Falls Drug Company.
1917 arson
On September 4, 1917, arsonists targeted the Republic store. The city marshal observed an explosion at the rear of the building, which rapidly sparked a fire that consumed seven adjacent structures along the block. Although all seven buildings were destroyed, only the drugstore’s stock was lost, valued between and . Firefighting efforts utilized the city’s only functional fire pump to bring the blaze under control. After this event, Slagle rebuilt and relocated the pharmacy into a two-story brick building at its current site, completed between 1917 and 1918.
1937 vault upgrade
On October 3, 1937, John Slagle improved security measures by installing fifty steel safety deposit boxes within a single case unit, thereby strengthening the vault’s storage capacity.
1956 burglary
A major burglary occurred on September 15, 1956, when thieves targeted pharmaceuticals, liquor stock, and approximately in cash—all insured. Co-owners Dick and Maury Slagle had worked late that night and left after midnight; the break-in took place around 3 a.m., entering through a side door. Stolen goods included cigarettes, electric shavers, whiskey bottles, and writing instruments; however, the vault remained secure. It is believed a truck was used to haul away stolen items. Authorities from Spokane Police and Spokane County Sheriff were notified, with investigations carried out by Ferry County Sheriffs and the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
Succession
When Jesse Slagle retired in 1947, he passed ownership of the store to his sons David, Maurice "Maury," and Richard "Dick" Slagle. Dick and Maury managed operations together before eventually transferring control to Maury’s son Robert "Rob" Slagle and his wife Patty. By 2003, Republic Drug Store was acknowledged as Washington’s oldest continuously family-operated pharmacy and ranked as Republic’s second-oldest business overall. Since World War I, it has served as Ferry County’s only pharmacy and has been the exclusive provider for the local hospital following 1947.
2002 Medicaid reimbursement rates
In 2002, Washington state proposed lowering the reimbursement fees paid to pharmacists for dispensing Medicaid prescriptions, aiming to reduce state expenditures by an estimated $20 million to $71 million. This reduction presented a major obstacle for pharmacies like Republic Drug Store, where Medicaid prescriptions accounted for more than half of all sales. The owners cautioned that decreased payments might compel them to decline service to Medicaid patients, potentially forcing those customers to travel distances of 80 to 100 miles to access alternative pharmacies.
2021 ownership transfer
The family tenure of Republic Drug Store concluded in January 2021 when Rob and Patty transferred ownership to the Ferry County Hospital District. Although now managed by the hospital district, the pharmacy continues operating under its existing franchise agreement with Health Mart, maintaining its role within the local healthcare community.
Department of Justice inquiry
A 2020 investigation revealed that smaller pharmacies, including Republic Drug Store, were supplied with disproportionately large quantities of opioids, much of which was diverted to illicit markets. Between 2006 and 2014, the pharmacy received shipments totaling 2,681,690 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills—sufficient for every individual within a ten-mile radius to be allocated approximately 211 pills annually.
From October 2017 through November 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted an inquiry into the pharmacy’s opioid distribution practices. The Department of Justice (DoJ) identified numerous "red flag" concerns under the Controlled Substances Act—signs suggesting possible diversion, fraud, or abuse—that were overlooked by the pharmacists. Some prescriptions originated from individuals lacking legal authority to prescribe controlled substances, including those with suspended medical licenses, retired doctors, and a naturopathic practitioner without prescribing privileges.
By law, both prescribers and pharmacists are obligated to verify and address such red flags before dispensing medications. The DEA determined that the pharmacy largely failed in meeting these obligations. In 2023, the Ferry County Hospital District, as current owner of the pharmacy, entered into a settlement with the DoJ admitting to violations. The district agreed to implement improved staff training programs, conduct quarterly inventory audits, revise controlled substance handling policies, and pay a $15,000 penalty. While the hospital CEO expressed some reservations regarding the case details, he acknowledged insufficient evidence existed to dismiss the red flags and accepted full responsibility for pharmacy operations both prior to and following acquisition.
Facility
As of 2019, the building housing Republic Drug Store preserved original architectural elements such as hand-cranked awnings and a pressed tin ceiling. Its well-maintained early twentieth-century design has made it an attractive candidate for film productions and earned recognition from Washington Filmworks for its historic significance and distinctive character.