John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
For 13 years, North Florida Pharmacy hasn't given up on their customers – and even in the face of an augmenting pandemic, their commitment remains steadfast.
The rural-based pharmaceutical company set up shop in downtown Madison in 2007, after serving North Florida since 1993. Uniquely, Madison's North Florida Pharmacy is the only pharmacy in the county to delivery, which is coming in handy at this moment in time.
Each pharmacy, including the Madison location, offers prescribed medications and refills, disposal of medications, immunizations and other services. North Florida Pharmacy also offers compounding; the act of combining, mixing or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual.
It has been a goal to offer needed prescriptions to residents of the City of Madison who are homebound or self-isolating as a precaution. Christie Bradfield, pharmacy manager at North Florida Pharmacy, states that delivery will now be available throughout Madison County, as far as the county line if it's needed.
The timeliness is on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the destination and the availability of drivers at the time. Therefore, scheduling has been "trickier than usual," the ten-year experienced pharmacist added.
Another convenience offered to the community at North Florida Pharmacy is their drive-thru option, which has allowed pharmacy staff to continue face-to-face interaction with customers, but with an aspect of social distancing. Bradfield states that while their pharmacy lobby, where customers can usually find medical equipment, items useful to diabetics and nifty gift ideas is closed. Those products are being distributed through the drive-thru service if such items are requested.
The pharmacy is managed by Bradfield, who is a long-time resident of Madison County. Bradfield is a 2004 graduate of Madison County High School and a proud alumna of the University of Florida, where she earned her degree in 2010. Bradfield began her employment with North Florida Pharmacy in 2013.