OLD TOWN – Penobscot Community Health Care patients throughout the region now have access to a full-service pharmacy on-site in Old Town at the recently opened Helen Hunt Health Center.

“It’s kind of a one-stop health care service,” PCHC spokeswoman Vicki Rusbult said Monday.

In addition to offering prescription-filling services for PCHC patients, the pharmacy also offers low-cost, over-the-counter items such as aspirin and vitamins to the public, she said. It is owned by PCHC.

The pharmacy will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will provide patients with prescription medications, in addition to low-cost, over-the-counter medications and supplies.

The pharmacy is stocked with generic and name-brand pharmaceuticals, and a wide variety of medical supplies, including diabetes testing and other monitoring devices. In addition, the pharmacy soon will add medical equipment such as crutches and canes to support on-site physical and occupational therapy services.

Patients filling prescriptions also will have access to one-on-one counseling in a private and confidential area of the pharmacy.

“One of the unique advantages of our on-site pharmacy is the collaboration between the health practitioner and pharmacy staff,” Robin Brittelli, PCHC director of pharmacy services, stated in a recent press release. “This allows for the immediate resolution of questions and gives an integrated approach to care leading to an improved treatment outcome for the patient.”

Helen Hunt’s lead pharmacist, Leslie M. Ohmart III, brings 36 years of experience to the pharmacy and is assisted by two experienced staff members, Desiree Shaw, certified pharmacy technician, and Virginia White, licensed pharmacy technician.

Ohmart comes from a long line of pharmacists.

“He’s carrying on a family tradition,” Rusbult said.

The $6 million renovation project of the former school building began in 2006 with the goal of providing comprehensive health care to what former Gov. Angus King once deemed an underserved area.

What once were classrooms and corridors has been turned into a fully integrated health care facility that will provide a home for Old Town Family Practice, psychiatry, physical and occupational therapy, pediatrics, dentistry, X-ray and the pharmacy.

PCHC, a nonprofit agency founded in 1997, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in the Bangor area. Its purpose is to ensure access to comprehensive and integrated outpatient health care services to those on MaineCare, Medicare and patients with and without insurance regardless of their ability to pay.

All PCHC services are provided on a sliding fee scale based on income through its Affordable Care Program to make certain that everyone can obtain care they need.

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