SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

The expansion of Montevallo Drugs began as an idea during the military deployment of pharmacist

and vice president of family medical services Bill Ford Sr.

The project was discussed for months via e-mail between the staff in Montevallo and Ford who was stationed in Kosovo.

Upon his return this past January, the project began in earnest and is now a reality.

The expansion of Montevallo Drugs offers Montevallo an enlarged store measuring 4,000 square feet and enables the drug store to widen its array of unique services to the community &045; compounding medicine, flavored medication, diabetic shop with certified diabetes pharmacist, Medicare Part B diabetic supplies, products featuring the American Lung Association&8217;s smoking cessation program and a classroom for ongoing patient education through consultations and seminars.

The additional space also provides a larger selection of over-the-counter medicine, an expanded gift area and the introduction of DaySpring cards to the area.

In discussing the expansion, Ford said, &8220;We&8217;re a community pharmacy and the expansion will enable us to better serve the personal needs of our customers.&8221;

Ford further commented that Montevallo Drugs is the only pharmacy in the vicinity that specializes in &8220;compounding&8221; or creating customized drugs.

&8220;People like the feeling they are known by name and that we can work with their physician to customize their drug regimen.

For example, as a compounding pharmacy, we can create hormone replacement therapy medications as well as make different doses of drugs than those commercially available,&8221; he explained.

Montevallo Drugs is an established independent pharmacy that has served the Montevallo and Shelby County area for over 85 years.

Having a relationship with patients and their satisfaction is the pharmacy&8217;s first priority.

Montevallo Drugs includes a professional staff of pharmacists, Bill Ford and Nicole Chambless, Pharm. D