Continuing the tradition of a friendly community pharmacy at McSharry's

A place where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came. It may sound like the theme tune to a familiar TV programme but it also epitomises the ethos of your friendly community pharmacy - McSharry's. Serving the community for 15 years, Ray McSharry continues the strong reputation as a first port of call for patients seeking advice on their families' health that Coleman's Pharmacy of Mardyke Street had built up over half a century in the town of Athlone. A native of Sligo, Ray first came to Athlone to work in Coleman's as a pre-registration pharmacist and took over the business some 15 years ago. Along with McSharry's in Belhavel, which incorporates The Honey Pot, Coleman's has built up a strong legion of loyal customers over the years, who are always Ray's first concern. His practice of giving advice to patients and helping them organise their medicine, even delivering it to patients who find it difficult to visit the pharmacy, epitomises the idea that your community pharmacy is the gateway to the health service. Ray McSharry has many loyal and repeat customers, something clearly evident after spending just a few minutes in his pharmacy on Mardyke Street. He also has staff members who have worked at the pharmacy for 20 and 30 years. Even some of the newest members are about to pass five years with the company! Regardless of the ailment, it is the first stop for these loyal customers and Ray, and the other two pharmacists Glyn Ratcliffe and Brendan Casey, who are primarily based at McSharry's in Belhavel, will advise patients on what products are suitable or indeed refer them to a doctor if necessary. McSharry's Pharmacy provides a full dispensing service, including all government schemes and for customers who are on a lot of medication, or are confused about which medication they should be taking and when they should be taking it, McSharry's provides blister packing, which ensures there are no mix ups with medication. Ray used this opportunity to apologise to his customers for any inconvenience caused by the recent situation with the HSE and stressed that his first thought and loyalty was to his valued customers. He said he believed he spoke for all his colleagues around town when he said they were not happy with the situation and were now happy to be open for business as usual again. Of course, community pharmacy is not just about the dispensing service and McSharry's offers expert advice on a wide range of other services from skin analysis and make-up advice to weight loss programmes, smoking cessation and travel advice, including the holiday packs, another favourite for which the pharmacy has become renowned. McSharry's is the only pharmacy in the town of Athlone to offer the Lipotrim weight-loss programme, which reports phenomenal results from those who use it. Lipotrim is a tightly-controlled, medically-approved food replacement programme. Pharmacist at McSharry's in Belhavel, Glyn Ratcliffe explained: "Where many programmes fall down is after the main attempt at weight loss. With Lipotrim, as well as the total food replacement programme, there is a maintenance programme after you lose the weight." And for those who aren't quite ready to go the total food replacement route, McSharry's offers many other weight-loss solutions, from supplements to mechanical aids and the latest craze on the market Lipo Contour, which are essentially slimming pants that are worn for eight hours a day and, having been designed by a leading cosmetic surgeon, promise to rid you of cellulite without the hassle of those dreaded bums and tums classes! The pharmacy also offers health screening, allowing you to keep tabs on your weight, BMI, blood pressure, body fat index and heart. McSharry's issues advice on smoking cessation for those hoping to give up cigarettes and provides a wide range of products to help. Coeliacs can avail of a wide range of food products at McSharry's, with a number of products available through prescription on government schemes. McSharry's is somewhat unique in that it offers the services of a health food store under the one roof, in the form of The Honey Pot in Belhavel. Here customers can avail of a variety of organic foods and toiletries, supplements, oils, herbal and homeopathic medicines. The Honey Pot also offers sports nutrition to support training athletes and body builders, which is used by many sportspeople and clubs in the locality. And while McSharry's, which between all outlets employs approximately 25 people, looks after all your health needs, it also has lots more on offer in the form of cosmetics and gifts, from perfumes and aftershaves, to shiatsu chairs and the famed Yankee candles. The cosmetic counter at McSharry's offers skin analysis and make-up consultations and also has a Clinique consultant, Bernadine O'Sullivan, on site, who not only advises on make-up application, but provides makeovers for weddings and fashion shows locally. Ray and all at McSharry's took this opportunity to wish Bernadine and Thomas Silke the best of luck for their wedding this Friday, August 21. The beauty area at McSharry's offers the most comprehensive range of agencies available in Athlone, from Clinique, La Roche Posay, Elizabeth Arden, Calvin Klein, Gucci and many more. Open seven days a week and late nights on Thursdays and Fridays, good advice, friendly service and an excellent range of products and services are accessible to all the family at McSharry's. So whether it's for advice on the swine flu, with swine flu packs available, to the renowned holiday packs, or simply for advice of losing weight or quitting smoking make sure your first stop is your local community pharmacy, McSharry's, where customer service and value are paramount.