MARTINS FERRY — East Ohio Regional Hospital’s new pharmacy is now ready for business and open to the public.

The new pharmacy is located just off the main entrance of the hospital, but it also offers a walk-up window for convenience.

Some of the services offered include filling prescriptions with most insurances accepted; “competitive cash pricing” for people without health insurance; walk-in vaccinations, though COVID-19 vaccine is not available currently; and delivery of hospital discharge prescriptions.

The pharmacy also sells over-the-counter medicines and toiletry items.

Pharmacy Manager Nicole Schmitt said the facility opened last week, but now its walk-up window is available for customers who do not want to come inside the building.

“This is a great location in Martins Ferry. … It’s a one-stop shop,” she said, noting it will be convenient for patients who need prescriptions filled on their way home from a doctor’s visit or a hospital stay.

She noted the over-the-counter medicines likely will change and expand as the pharmacy discovers people’s needs.

“We’re hoping to add some gift items as the hospital gets busier,” she said.

During the pharmacy’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Mayor John Davies noted the pharmacy, much like the hospital itself, will be a great asset to the community.

“This is another positive step for the city of Martins Ferry. The future is getting brighter every day, and I’m thankful for Dr. Johnson,” Davies said of the hospital’s owner, Dr. John Johnson.

Bernie Albertini, chief operating officer of EORH, said “it made perfect sense to put a pharmacy in.”

“We felt like Martins Ferry needed a hometown pharmacy,” he said.

The pharmacy’s hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Saturday hours are expected to be offered next month.

In addition to Albertini, Schmitt, Davies and Johnson, also on hand for the ceremony was Zack Elerick, pharmacy director. Elerick oversees both the inpatient and retail pharmacy operations.

The new masonry work around the new walk-up window was completed on Monday by employees with Mardo Masonry of Waynesburg, Pa. The brickwork matches the existing brick facade on the building.

Since its reopening in February, the hospital has made several announcements regarding its services and new team members. Dr. Jeremy Edgmon is the new chief medical officer. He is a board-certified family medicine physician, which means he can treat a range of patients from children to the elderly.

Also, Dr. Triston Smith is the new medical director of Cardiac Services.

The department offers testing, studies and rehabilitation. The hospital also has plans to open a Cardiac Catheterization Lab at a later date.