by June Portnoy

Getting your prescriptions filled today has sometimes become an impersonal experience where you often have to wait in long lines, rarely ever meeting the pharmacist. Some times when you return, you see different people working in the pharmacy, some rushing to fill the hundreds of prescriptions waiting for them.

If you don’t mind patronizing this type of pharmacy, you can find one on practically every block. However, if you’d prefer a pharmacy where the staff not only knows your name, but knows you personally, you want to go to Penndel Drugs.

The community enthusiastically welcomed this new pharmacy to Penndel in September as its town’s only full-service pharmacy.

On staff are pharmacist and store manager Ann Marie Takacs, and pharmacy technician Anya Lam, who work all day and evening, every day the store is open. Since there is just one pharmacist and technician at Penndel Drugs, these professionals develop on-going relationships with their customers.

“At Penndel Drugs, we can offer our customers fast personal attention because we are not filling thousands of prescriptions a day,” says Ann Marie, who spent 25 years working at a chain pharmacy. “I am thrilled to be working here because I can now offer my customers one-on-one attention.”

Ann Marie will also compound prescriptions. 

Both she and Anya are happy to take as much time as necessary to answer questions and accommodate special requests. Their goal is to get everyone the medications they need that same day.

The pharmacy offers free, same-day delivery of medications, a particularly nice service to the elderly and to those who are too sick to get to the pharmacy.

Penndel Drugs also stocks a good selection of medical equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs, and commodes.  However, if you can’t find what you’re looking for at the store, Ann Marie and Anya will be happy to order whatever you need.  They will look through a catalogue of medical equipment with you, so you’re not only getting the equipment you want, but also the style and design you prefer.

“We do whatever we can to accommodate our customers’ needs,” adds Ann Marie.

In addition to pharmaceutical and medical products, Penndel Drugs has a complete array of general merchandise, with items ranging from Yankee Candles, Stephanie Dawn handbags and greeting cards, to cosmetics, health and beauty aids, vitamins and supplements, and snacks and candy.

The majority of merchandise sold here is made in the USA, and you will always find discounted prices on both merchandise and prescriptions.

“We present our store as a homelike atmosphere, as opposed to a pharmacy mill,” says Ann Marie. “You’ll see and feel the difference as soon as you walk inside.”

Although Penndel Drugs offers an old-fashioned approach to pharmacy in many ways, it keeps up with the times by providing on-line refills, and will accept prescriptions electronically, via fax or by phone.

All major insurances are accepted, including CVS Caremark & Express Scripts.  Ann Marie and Anya will also help you with Medicare billing.

Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm and Saturdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Penndel Drugs is located at 19 and 21 Bellevue Avenue (in the Bottom Dollar Shopping Center).

For more information, visit them at www.penndeldrugs.com, on www.facebook.com/penndeldrugs, or call them at 215-970-5676.

PHOTO CAP: Ann Marie Takacs (left), and Anya Lam at Penndel Drugs.