2022 Illinois – Eric Bandy
Eric Bandy, RPh
Owner, Bandy’s Pharmacy Inc.
Eric Bandy, a pharmacist from Salem, Illinois, comes from a family with a long tradition of working in independent pharmacy. Eric, his father and two uncles all own community-based pharmacies that put a premium on getting to know patients and offering services that the local community wants and needs, such as flu shots, immunizations, home delivery and private consultation. Thanks to his record of service, Eric was selected as one of only two trial sites in Illinois that tested at-home, injectable monoclonal antibodies (MAB) for the treatment of COVID-19. As an independent pharmacist with a supportive family and staff, Eric felt empowered to take on this project despite the difficulties it presented. He explained that “It was trial and error since no pharmacist in Illinois had ever done in-home therapies for COVID before. Each patient and home had its own set of challenges to mitigate.” Eric persevered, however, and when the injectable did not show efficacy against the Omicron variant, his pharmacy quickly pivoted to offering proven oral MAB therapies. Eric’s experience with the clinical trial showed him – and his community – the growing potential for pharmacists in supporting potential advances in medicine at the community level.
Contact: eric@bandys.biz