These days it seems like there is a chain pharmacy or “big box” store on every corner. The privately owned, neighborhood pharmacy of the past has become just that - a thing of the past.

Town Total Health, however, has proven that personal attention, specialty services and community support still mean something to many people. Since 2004, Town Total Health has been providing these important elements to Albany, the surrounding communities, and beyond.

Of specific value to the individuals that Catholic Charities AIDS Services assists is Town Total’s medication packaging and delivery service. It’s no secret that navigating the maze of medications required to effectively manage HIV can be overwhelming for many. Town Total combats this by pre-packaging medications into single dose cells which can be easily managed and transported.

For individuals living with HIV who have difficulty ambulating or accessing a pharmacy in person, Town Total will also home deliver medications. Frank Reiss, Town Total’s Supervising Pharmacist, states that “When people can’t leave the house because they are homebound or have small children and need medications, it has a negative impact on their adherence ability. We are doing 65 to 70 deliveries a day, some as far away as Syracuse”. These two services have been a lifeline to many people living in rural isolated areas throughout the region.

When AIDS Services was first developing Project Safe Point’s Syringe Voucher Program, Town Total was the first pharmacy to ask what they could do to help and the first to sign up as a participating provider.

It was Town Total’s willingness to participate that allowed the program to move from development to implementation. Through a partnership with Project Safe Point and Centro Civico’s Project Needle Smart, the pharmacy also houses a syringe disposal kiosk which expands the access to safe disposal of used syringes in the Albany area.

When asked for the reasons why Town Total has been so receptive to working with Project Safe Point Frank said, “I was finding used syringes in the parking lot, so this seemed like a great solution to that problem. Plus, I see partnering with these programs as a way to extend additional services to our patients and the community.” Many times, Frank has volunteered to make contact with other pharmacists and groups to advocate for their participation in the program as well.

Town Total’s service to the HIV community goes way beyond the direct services it provides to individuals living with or at risk for the disease in the region. As a major sponsor of events such as Catholic Charities AIDS Service’s “Summertime at SPAC” and “Celebrate the Harvest”, and the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York’s “Beaujolais” event, Town Total has further impacted the community in very positive ways.

Frank said that his commitment to these agencies and others comes from his desire to keep Town Total’s patients and the greater community healthy in whatever way he can. “I live in this community too”, he said.

Always looking out for the next way to be of service to the community, Town Total is now working towards providing flu and pneumococcal vaccinations on site, expanding the services available to individuals infected with Hepatitis C and have even hired a social worker to assist customers with coordinating outside services.

The healthcare system can be difficult to access and navigate for individuals living with HIV as it can be for everyone. It is refreshing to know that providers like Town Total Health are doing their part to bridge the gap and extend valuable services to the community. Frank was quick to downplay his own role by saying, “All of the staff here go the extra mile, every day.”

Town Total Health, www.towntotalhealth.com, is located at: 350 Northern Boulevard Albany, NY 12204 and can be reached by phone at (518) 257-7294.