By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

A graduate of John Carroll High School and the Auburn University School of Pharmacy, Johnny Brooklere is now becoming a more familiar name in the Alabaster area.

Owner of the large Brooklere Pharmacy located on Highway 119 South across from Regions Bank, Brooklere is a resident of Gardendale, but grew up in “a wonderful neighborhood” in Forestdale.

“My Brooklere grandparents lived only a block away so spending time with them and the rest of our large family was a constant,” Brooklere said. “My other set of grandparents operated a small hotel in Panama City Beach, Florida for six months out of the year. We loved spending time with them at the beach with them.”

Brooklere Pharmacy was started in Adamsville in 1968 by Brooklere’s father, who is still going strong.

The staff consists of two pharmacists, six technicians and one pharmacy student.

His sister Anna, who is a pharmacist at UAB, sometimes helps with operations.

His family consists of wife Jill and sons Kaleb, age 15, and Zachary, age 18.

Kaleb plays basketball and lacrosse and plans on a career in pharmacy or forestry.  Zachary is a freshman in college headed for a pharmacy degree like dad or going into building science.

The pharmacy in Alabaster is growing and expanding their compounding operation.

In addition a new sterile lab is being added.

“We are also expanding our medication synchronization and starting diabetes education at both locations,” Brooklere said.“Compounding is the original art of pharmacy, mixing medications for particular illnesses. It can be as simple as making a solid dosage form like a tablet or as complex as making sterile preparations for injection. We make numerous forms of medications: Suspensions, capsules, gels, gummies, lollypops, suppositories and injectables. We make medications for pain, scaring, infections, hormone replacement, dental, etc.”

Brooklere absolutely enjoys his profession and is thankful for his great patient population.

“We are gradually becoming a part of the Alabaster community,” he said. “The people of Alabaster have been wonderfully receptive. I am confident that as each new person comes in our door, they will return because of the quality of our products and the expertise and friendliness of our staff. It is rewarding to help people and doubly enjoyable when they appreciate what we do.”