Sometimes, complaints pay off.

In December, the Pennsylvania Pharmacists’ Association (PPA) announced that some UPMC Health Plans were dropping some local, independent pharmacies — including Gaughn’s Drug Store — from their preferred network effective Jan. 1.

The PPA provided a link for those who wanted to file complaints.

Gaughn’s has announced that the decision has been reversed.

“UPMC did invite Gaughn’s back into the UPMC Essential Network,” owner and pharmacist Scott Newton said Thursday. “They are actually making personal phone calls to all of our patients who were affected.”

“The buzz our patients made on our behalf paid off,” Newton said.

“Thank you to those in the community who voiced their concerns to UPMC about Gaughn’s Drug Store being dropped from their UPMC Essential Network,” according to a post on the Gaughn’s Facebook page. “We’re happy to say your voices were heard! UPMC has given Gaughn’s Drug Store the ability to sign the contract to be a part of the UPMC Essential Network.”

The change is effective immediately, according to Newton, although the list may not be updated until after the first of the year.