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By Jeff Moore

Editor’s Note: This feature originally ran in the Dec ‘24/Jan 2025 edition of the LaGrange Living magazine, a publication produced bi-monthly by the LaGrange Daily News. If you would like to pick up a copy of the LaGrange Living magazine, please visit our office at 115 Broad Ste 101.

Residents of Troup and Harris counties have a local partner with more than seven decades of looking after their health and wellness.

From its humble beginnings on Main Street in LaGrange, Holmes Pharmacy has grown to its three locations and has become the trusted name in personalized care and service for its customers.

Holmes Pharmacy owner, Perry Prather, said he and his team are proud to be the pharmacy the community can rely on.

“Our kind and knowledgeable team provides customers with adequate prescription medications and other health related products and services,” Prather said. “We are aware of all our patient’s needs and offer a variety of services intended to make it easier for you to stay healthy.”

Originally founded by John Allen Holmes Sr., the pharmacy quickly established itself as a fixture in LaGrange.

Like many pharmacies of that era, Holmes was more than just a place to pick up prescriptions. The original location on Main Street also featured a soda shop, where countless memories were made, and residents would gather to spend time visiting with friends and neighbors.

Over time, the business changed hands, with Danny Toth, RPh, relocating it to the current location on Commerce Avenue.

Prather, who joined as a partner and pharmacist, eventually became the sole owner, continuing the tradition of hometown service while expanding its reach to serve more people in the region.

Under Prather’s leadership in 2003, a location opened in Hamilton, followed by an additional LaGrange location at Sawmill Plaza in 2018.

Today, Prather said Holmes Pharmacy operates at three locations, each committed to meeting the unique healthcare needs of the community.

LaGrange Daily News readers have repeatedly named Holmes Pharmacy as the community’s Best Pharmacy and Prather as Best Pharmacist.

Prather said he is honored that LaGrange Daily News readers selected both he and the pharmacy again for this honor in 2024, along with Courtney Miller as Best Pharmacy Technician.

“Holmes is proud to be part of a long tradition of great service and quality products serving the LaGrange and Hamilton communities now,” Prather said. “We specialize in prescriptions, medication packaging, hormone replacement therapy, compounding, diabetic shoes, compression hosiery, medical supplies, and so much more. Come see us and let us earn your business.”

He took time to provide details about each of the pharmacy locations.

Commerce Avenue

Located in the heart of LaGrange at 136 Commerce Ave., this flagship location offers a comprehensive range of services, including prescription medications, over-the-counter products, and durable medical equipment.

Prather said each customer’s health is their top priority.

“In order to fulfill all of your healthcare requirements, we are dedicated to offering premium pharmaceutical items together with outstanding customer service,” he said. “We have you covered if you need over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, prescription drugs, medication adherence packaging, compounded medications, vitamins, or personal care products. This location is so fortunate to have pharmacists Perry Prather, PharmD-Owner, Mandy Lamb, PharmD and Charles Reid, PharmD. Our team of professional pharmacists, technicians, and staff are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your medications.”

Prather added that their primary goal is to help each customer live a healthy life because we value your health and well-being.

To contact the downtown LaGrange pharmacy, call 706-884-7301.

Sawmill Plaza

Situated inside the Piggly Wiggly at 1861 Roanoke Rd. Suit A in LaGrange, the location is celebrated for its focus on community health initiatives.

“This pharmacy is well-known for its excellent customer service and a wide choice of services,” Prather said. “The Holmes Pharmacy team takes pleasure in offering individualized service to each customer, ensuring that their healthcare needs are addressed with the highest attention and care.”

One of the distinctive features of Holmes Pharmacy at Sawmill is its emphasis on community health programs, he noted.

“Alise Jeter, PharmD and her staff actively connect with the community by providing specialized services such as medication management, vaccines and health screenings,” Prather said.

“This dedication to community health distinguishes Holmes Pharmacy and develops trust among its patients,” he added.

The staff at Sawmill can be reached at 706-350-4200. Prather noted that this location does not have drive-through pickup services available.

Hamilton

Residents of Harris County also rely on Holmes Pharmacy for a wide range of medications and health products at affordable prices at 141 North College Street in Hamilton.

“We are committed to providing high-quality pharmaceutical products and exceptional customer service to meet all your healthcare needs,” Prather said. “Whether you are looking for over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, vitamins, or personal care items, we have you covered. Our team of experienced pharmacists, Kim Storey, PharmD, and John Richey, RPh, technicians and staff are here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about your medications.”

Noting that their customers’ health and well-being are their top priorities, Prather said the Hamilton staff is dedicated to helping each person live a healthier life. To contact the pharmacy in Hamilton, call 706-628-9995.

Specialized Services at Commerce Avenue

Compounding. At the core of Holmes Pharmacy’s mission is the belief that no two patients are alike. This philosophy is exemplified in their compounding services, where medications are tailored to individual needs.

“Compounding allows us to create customized solutions,” Prather explained. “Whether it’s altering the strength of a medication, changing its form, or removing allergens, we work closely with doctors to meet specific requirements.”

He pointed out that Non-Sterile Compounding is the art and science of creating and preparing a medication that is individualized to meet the unique needs of the patient.

This service is particularly important to patients who:

• Need a strength of medication that differs from what is commercially available.

• Need a prescription in a different form, such as changing a capsule to a liquid.

• Cannot swallow pills or may need a medicine with an alternate route.

• Have allergies to dyes, preservatives, alcohol, or fillers.

The pharmacy specializes in:

• Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in the form of topical creams, vaginal creams, mucosal troches, and capsules. Holmes can build various formulations that may include any combination of Estradiol, Estriol, Testosterone, Progesterone, and/or DHEA.

• Topical pain creams, gels, and ointments.

• Pediatric medication suspensions and solutions.

• Veterinary medications with pet-approved flavors and pet-friendly ingredients.

• Magic mouthwash suspensions.

• Promethazine topical gels.

Prather said they have the ability to compound other dosage forms such as suppositories, serums, sublingual drops and pastes.

“Since the process of compounding prescriptions is much more involved than the filling of typical prescriptions, it does take longer for your compounded prescriptions to be ready for pickup,” he explained.

Reasons for this may include but are not limited to:

• Compounding is a delicate process that involves creating customized formulas for each individual.

• Creating specific dosages and ensuring calculations are correct take time, research, and extra expertise.

• Additional communication with the doctor or our compounding support team may be necessary.

• The availability of certain ingredients needed.

• The manner in which certain compounds are created (cream, troche, etc.).

These services are overseen by Jamie Sauls, CPhT, a certified compounding pharmacy technician with years of experience.

Long-Term Care and Medication Management

Holmes Pharmacy on Commerce Avenue also plays a vital role in long-term care for residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities.

“Our pharmacy provides a variety of pharmaceutical packing system solutions for our homes and facilities,” Prather said. “Pharmacy and long-term care consultations, vaccines, durable medical device sales and service, and assistance with Medicare prescription drug plan management are among the services provided.”

He said they provide strip packaging that is totally adaptable to the patient’s requirements, as well as bubble packing.

Vaccinations are particularly crucial for senior citizens.

Prather said Holmes Pharmacy regularly examines residents’ immunization status and administers vaccines and booster doses in long-term care institutions.

In addition to drug dispensing, he said the LTC program offers a wide range of services.

“Life-saving patient care involves direct and continuing care consultations with patients and their families, medication management, supervision of antibiotics and infection control, controlled substance monitoring, immunization distribution and resident discharge services,” Prather explained. “Our pharmacy also offers continuing education and training to its staff and residents.”

Courtney Miller is the clinical director of LTC and manages all medication packaging.

Prather said Miller has more than 10 years of experience with packaging medications and can answer any questions a patient may have about how to get started.

Additionally, he noted she will help guide you through the process and be the point of contact for as long as a person wants medications to be packaged. Miller can be reached at 706-884-7301, option 3.

Managed Medication Packaging

To help patients who take many medications, Holmes Pharmacy on Commerce Ave can help eliminate the confusion.

“All you have are bottles everywhere,” Prather said. “Some are new. Some are old. Some have refills and some do not. You just do not know what the doctor wants you to take or quit taking.”

The packing system at the Commerce location uses a multi-dose strip packaging system, which allows Miller to organize the patients’ medications by day and time of dose in clearly labeled plastic pouches.

“This helps you keep track of your medications and reduces the risk of missed doses,” he said. “This service is offered to any patient in our community. There are no criteria that need to be met to have your medications strip packaged or bubble packed.”

Anyone interested can reach out to Miller for additional information.

A Commitment to Community

Prather said he is proud that the community can rely on Holmes Pharmacy.

“Our kind and knowledgeable team provides customers with adequate prescription medications and other health related products and services,” he said. “We’re aware of all your needs and offer a variety of services intended to make it easier for you to stay healthy.

At Holmes Pharmacy, Prather said he and his team go the extra mile in order to provide our customers with an easy and convenient way of managing their medical prescriptions. Not only does the pharmacy provide care in house, but also in the surrounding areas.

“Holmes Pharmacy is actively involved in local initiatives, committed to giving back to our community, and dedicated to making a positive impact on the people and organizations around us,” Prather said. “By supporting various community efforts, we aim to make a positive impact on the lives of our patients.” 

“The community honestly would suffer without an independent pharmacy like ours that can do what we do for our patients,” he noted. “Our caring and knowledgeable team of pharmacists and associates are here to make sure everyone receives professional services and personalized attention for their medications and several other health care needs.”