Once again, Mac’s Pharmacy is being recognized for a quality of care that less than 8,000 pharmacies in the United States currently offer: Compounding. “We’re extremely proud of being able to offer this care to our patients,” says Mike Wilhoit, President of Mac’s Pharmacy, “as well as this recognition for making it available.”
For those unfamiliar with the term, drug compounding is the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients in filling a doctor’s prescription. This enables the pharmacist to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient. For instance, a young child may need a small, liquid dose of a drug made only in adult-dosage tablets. Or, a person may be allergic to one of the ingredients in the commercial version of a drug. Sometimes, and this seems to be the case more and more these days, a drug may simply be hard to find. In these instances, the pharmacist can customize the dosage, providing the patient with a medication that meets their needs. Thanks to compounding, dosages can take the form of lozenges, gels, tablets, syrups… even lollipops!
Another service that sets Mac’s apart and demonstrates their commitment to patient care is their focus on medication management. “Many seniors must have almost constant access to more than one medication,” says Mike. “They can’t misplace them, and critically important, they need to make sure that they take the proper dosage at the proper time. This can be challenging… even for young, healthy individuals.” Thanks to MacPacks, that challenge is all but eliminated. MacPacks medications are clearly marked with the date and time of day that the medication must be taken, making it easy to take the proper dose at the proper time. And, to make it even more convenient, Mac’s not only offers free local delivery, but will ship MacPacks to patients in neighboring states.
Like many businesses over the last six or so months, Mac’s has made some COVID-19 adjustments. “While people are getting out and about more, there are still a great number who are not entirely comfortable enough to return to ‘life as we know it.’” For Mike and the Mac’s family, there was real concern around the fact that, as Mike explains it, “people weren’t going to the doctor or to the hospital… they just weren’t getting the care they need. In response,” he says, “we put a lot of focus on delivery to homes and assisted living facilities, adding delivery vehicles and personnel in order to reach patients in Knox, Blunt and Anderson counties.”
And while the Mac’s “family” is well-equipped to manage a patient’s illness, they’re also focused on a proactive approach to good health. “Here at Mac’s,” says Elisa Crawford, Director of Community Relations, “we care just as much about keeping our patients healthy as helping them recover from an illness. In that regard, we support local causes such as food banks and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. We offer free education classes on how to live better with certain health conditions, such as diabetes. We offer free vitamins for kids. In short, we love our customers and really want to do what we can to help them stay healthy and happy.”
Mike credits Mac, his dad and the company founder, with creating a culture based on a dedication to service. Which is why, perhaps, the Wilhoits have all chosen healthcare as a profession. “In his over 35 years of pharmacy,” explains Mike, “my dad has lived by a simple motto: “If you take care of the patients, the business will take care of itself. And you know… he’s absolutely right.”
North Knoxville: 2419 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: (865) 524-3453
Oak Ridge: 45 New York Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Phone: (865) 298-VOLS (8657)
City Drug/Maryville: 1612 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: (865) 982-7162
Claxton: 643 Edgemoor Road, Powell, Tennessee 37849
Phone: (865) 945-3333
Lowes Drug – Maryville: 1536 E Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37804
Phone: (865) 982-3020.
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Phone: (850) 677-9340