At least one local pharmacist, along with others across the state, proved this week that you can fight city hall, or more specifically the state’s legislative body. And you can win.

And, in this case, we’re glad they did.

Pharmacists, including Clinton’s own Jim Matthews, were tenacious in their efforts to prevent a bailout bill of the state employees’ health plan from passing with a provision that would, virtually, strike a deadly blow to hometown drug stores.

In fact, had the bill passed as it was originally submitted by Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, it would have dealt a financial blow to retail chain pharmacies as well.

And in these economic times, that kind of blow needs to be avoided at every turn.

The provision originally in the bill would have required plan members to refill some of their prescriptions, said to be approximately 97 percent, through a mail-order system, eliminating the local pharmacist from the mix after the third time the prescription was brought in.

Matthews said earlier this week that the provision would have had dire consequences on his and other pharmacies, making it nearly impossible for many to continue to run.

He and other pharmacists from across the state, along with the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists, took a strong stance against the bill’s provision, urging lawmakers to rethink the bill before passing it.

With the strong urging of people like Matthews, there were enough people pleading with lawmakers not to pass the bill in its original state that it made a difference, and Tuesday night senators adopted a bill minus the provision.

The strong opposition coupled with the realities of more job losses that could come from such a provision gave lawmakers pause and, in so doing, paved the way for the provision’s demise.

It just goes to prove what we continually try to remind citizens — you cannot sit on the sidelines and complain about issues and get anything changed. But, if you get up, stand together and show your support or opposition to things, action happens.

The final outcome still may not be exactly what is wanted, but one thing is clear, there is strength in numbers and power in a loud, clear voice.

Pharmacists across this state used their number and their voices to make a difference, and it was powerful.

As important as a bailout bill is for the state health plan, lawmakers didn’t rush to pass it without thinking through the provision that so many were crying foul over.

We should all be glad they did. We can ill afford to lose good, hometown businesses in these tough economic times, or any time, for that matter. They are the very backbone of our community, the ones who support our schools, give to our charities and remain true to citizens.

We should support them at every turn, and applaud the efforts they make that provide a positive difference that will impact us all.