“Everything in our society right now is customized,” he says. “Netflix knows what you want. You can customize any type of order online, but somehow we’re okay with set, standard doses and therapies.” Particularly with genetic testing poised to play an increasing role in healthcare, Aldrich sees compounding as a way to tailor treatment to a specific person’s needs. For example, he says, “If Patient A only needs a fifth of the dose, compounding pharmacies can make that.”

Four-legged family members are part of  Lawrence Drug’s patient base, too. Aldrich has been working with area veterinarians to distribute a medicine-delivery paste, specially formulated for pets’ palates. He recently rolled out a chicken flavor—“Even cats seem to like it,” he says—and he’s working on tuna-salmon and peanut butter varieties. It’s all part of reducing medication-related anxiety for both owners and pets, which, he says, leads to greater compliance with prescribed therapies.

Aldrich wants to continue to grow the pharmacy’s impact in 417-land. He also hopes to make pharmacy pricing more transparent by partnering with employers to offer fair pricing on prescription medications. He will continue to make his local pharmacy even more integrated with the community and has a goal of opening a nonprofit community pharmacy. “I view the pharmacy to become not just a place to pick up your prescriptions but to become a partner in your health,” Aldrich says.