New pharmacy to help locals

SANDUSKY — Local officials found the right remedy to provide a much-needed resource, which could help thousands of community members. Later this month, those affiliated with the Erie County Health Department/Erie County Community Health Center plan to unveil a new, first-of-its-kind pharmacy located anywhere in or around Sandusky. Known as the Erie Community Pharmacy, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will occur to commemorate its grand opening. It's scheduled for 1 p.m. on Nov. 6 at the pharmacy's location: on the health department's campus, 420 Superior St., Sandusky. The public is invited to attend. Before opening, officials, including county health commissioner Pete Schade, offered a full explanation of what people should expect. Quoted statements come directly from the health department/community health center: Q: What's the significance? A: This full-service pharmacy will serve as a resource for both health department/community health center patients and the broader Erie County community. "The new pharmacy is poised to provide accessible, community-based services to our Erie County region. This will be a pharmacy like no other here in Sandusky." It will enable the health department/community health center to expand clinical services, and it will fill gaps in access via technology and integration with its medical, dental, vision and behavioral health stakeholders. Q: Where will it be? Located on the health department's campus, it features a convenient, ground-level entrance directly at the main door of the Erie County Community Health Center with ample parking that will be diligently maintained to be free of snow and ice, ensuring easy access for all. Patients of the new pharmacy can be assisted by health department/community health center staff if they need help getting into the pharmacy. Q: Who will work there? A: "One of the greatest assets of the new Erie Community Pharmacy is the local, talented and very knowledgeable pharmacist who will be the key driver of the pharmacy services." The pharmacist will be Kyle Williams. Q: What does the 'community' in Erie Community Pharmacy mean? A: "This Erie Community Pharmacy is an example of the new community-based pharmacy not yet seen here locally." Basically, the pharmacy will do much more than prescriptions. "It will serve to integrate care in our patient-centered, award-winning Federally Qualified Health Center. Patient care here at the health department/community health center will be exponentially increased due to this expansion." Joe Palmucci, the chief financial officer of the health department/community health center, noted how, "The Erie Community Pharmacy closes a critical gap in our service offerings, providing our patients and neighbors with a convenient, full-service pharmacy that prioritizes their health and well-being. We are thrilled to bring this resource to our community and look forward to celebrating its official opening." Q: What will it offer? A: The pharmacy will offer a full range of prescription services, over-the-counter medications and personalized consultations. "Its establishment is a significant step toward improving health outcomes by ensuring residents have convenient access to the medications and pharmaceutical advice they need." Q: What other gaps will it fill? A: The health department's statement underscored its significance in addressing a community void. "As we all see, retail pharmacies close, and those that remain become less and less interested in patient care or quality, we will see the community-based pharmacies, like the Erie Community Pharmacy, dominate the health care landscape." This forthcoming pharmacy adds to the health department's/community health center's many services, including primary care, women's health, dental, behavioral and mental health services. And, "We will see our Erie Community Pharmacy expand in its services to augment vaccinations, non-emergency care and, just as importantly, our pharmacist with local ties will be a consultative resource to anyone who needs assistance with education on a possible drug interaction or pharmaceutical information." Q: What else should people know about the pharmacy? A: The Erie Community Pharmacy aims to integrate itself within other pre-existing services, such as: • Preventive screenings: "Your Erie Community Pharmacy will offer infectious disease screenings. This new community-based pharmacy will support preventative screenings and will eliminate barriers to health care that most people are encountering today." • Food is Medicine, a program providing nutritious foods and providing them to lesser-fortunate people who might be in need of them: "We have pioneered the Food is Medicine activities in an effort to improve the quality of life for all we serve. We will team up to help manage chronic disease through the Food is Medicine Initiative. Nutrition is important to your health. Our pharmacist, with our current nutrition staff, will create opportunities to provide food directly to our patients and to consult with our patients about essential nutritional guidance." In these instances and with others, the Erie Community Pharmacy will augment these initiatives by working one-on-one with our people. Q: What else should people know about the pharmacy? A: The health department/community health center aims to strengthen existing and build new relationships locally and beyond, including with Lorain Health & Dentistry and Community Health Partners of Fremont, to bolster this new initiative. This new pharmacy will also incorporate enhanced technology. It is part of the evolution of a community-based pharmacy network. Data exchange and data management are tools that will use to assure continuity of care to patients. Q: How can people use this pharmacy? A: Patients can consult with their physicians and/or health care providers. They can also contact the health department/community health center by: • Calling 419-626-5623 • Visiting eriecohealthohio.com • Dropping by the department, 420 Superior St., Sandusky, during traditional business hours between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays