When Rikin Patel opened the Whitehall Pharmacy in Egypt two months ago his goal was to provide the community with the option of going to a pharmacy that was both personal and professional.

Patel has been successful to date, owing in part to the pharmacy's convenient location.

The Whitehall Pharmacy is housed in the same building as the Wild Cherry Market and Betty's Deli on Main Street, Egypt. The location makes it easy for customers to run multiple errands in just one stop.

"A lot of my patients are customers of the store. They are excited to switch over to our pharmacy because it gives them a more convenient experience," Patel said.

His concern for the community is rooted in his desire to help the elderly have a more comfortable experience obtaining their medication.

"My parents are elderly, a lot of people in my neighborhood are elderly, and I think that they should get the kind of care they deserve. I want to help these people out the best I can," Patel said.

Too frequently, trips to the pharmacy are stressful and rushed; the patients get lost in the crowd and are just another anonymous face to their pharmacist, Patel said.

Many people find that large chain pharmacies feel impersonal, which makes it difficult to obtain answers to questions about medications.

Patel knows that understanding everything about ailments and medications can be confusing or overwhelming for anyone, especially the elderly.

His background in therapeutic counseling and his certification in medication therapy management have enabled him to give his patrons more clear and simple explanations of the medicines they are taking, why they need to take them and what the side effects might be.

Patel said he wants the pharmacy experience to be "friendly and non-judgmental."

It's his belief pharmacists should be kind to and patient with customers, striving to make their experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible.

A wide variety of services and items is offered by the Whitehall Pharmacy, including vaccinations, diabetic supplies, home health supplies, such as canes and walkers, free medication flavoring, discount generic plans, 90-day mail ordering and affordable pet medications.

Like many other pharmacies, Whitehall Pharmacy offers free home delivery of any medication or medical supplies. However, Whitehall Pharmacy takes its services one step farther by also delivering any items from the Wild Cherry Market and Betty's Deli along with the medical order, free of charge.

"We have had customers who we delivered milk and food to along with their medications," Patel said.

In an effort to care for customers as much as possible, the pharmacy accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most other insurance plans.

Patients without insurance plans can utilize the Whitehall Pharmacy's savings plan, which works similarly to the one offered by Wal-Mart.

Always ready to give care of the highest quality, Patel can be reached at 610-440-MEDS (6337) for more information about the pharmacy, insurance plans and medications.

The Whitehall Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.