One Small Voice
by Laura McGaffey
Articles originally published in "The Voice in the Desert"
Sunsites-Pearce, Arizona

Larry's Healthmart Pharmacy in Willcox

October 2012



Popular Willcox pharmacist, Larry Hamel, Jr., Pharm.D., has opened a new pharmacy in the strip mall that houses the IGA grocery and Ace Hardware, across from the hospital on Rex Allen Drive. Larry was with Safeway for 17 years and has been a pharmacist for 24 years. Before coming to Willcox, he worked at the Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Crystal City, Missouri. He launched the Willcox Healthmart Pharmacy (aka Larry’s Pharmacy) on November 2, 2009.

Larry grew up in south central Illinois in a small town called Carlinville. He earned his Pharm.D doctoral degree from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in St. Louis, Missouri. It usually takes six years to complete the course of study.

Larry and his wife Julie feel very fortunate to call Willcox their home. They have received an overwhelming show of support from the community for their new store. Many of the customers Larry served at Safeway have followed him to the new store and he wishes to say “Thank you” to them all. He and his staff look forward to continuing to serve their prescription needs.

In addition to prescription medications, they offer an assortment of over the counter drugs and vitamins, some braces and supports, canes, crutches, adult diapers, etc. Larry is also certified to give the immunizations allowed to be administered by pharmacists, including Pneumovax, Zostavax, and tetanus boosters. He will not be able to offer flu shots this season because we still do not have our Medicare B coverage in place (it is a long process). If needed, they will mail prescriptions.

They are able to process for most prescription plans and Medicare Part D plans, AHCCCS. They are working on becoming a provider for Medicare B which pays for diabetic testing supplies, nebulizer solutions, and some vaccines.

Willcox Healthmart Pharmacy

902 W. Rex Allen Dr.

Willcox, AZ 85643

(520) 384-2321

Open: M-F 9a - 6p, Sat 9a - 1p, closed Sunday

Look for the “Larry’s Pharmacy” sign above the door of the storefront at the far left (east) end of the IGA, Ace Hardware strip mall.