DEAR DR. GOTT:
I was appalled to read again this week in your column a specific mention of Wal-Mart Pharmacy in reference to locating a product. While it would most certainly be unethical, readers might assume that you benefit in some way by promoting the pharmacy.

Local, independently owned pharmacies do still exist and often provide the best service to individuals they actually know by name. Our town is blessed with such a pharmacy that has been an active and contributing member of our business community for nearly 100 years. The staff are friendly, compassionate and skilled. The owners and employees have contributed countless hours of volunteer work and have made major financial contributions for every cause from After Prom parties to the building of a new library and hospital wing. You do everyone a great disservice by blatantly promoting any particular pharmacy in your column.

DEAR READER:
Point well taken. However, I will attempt to defend myself. On occasion I mention a product that is not available in small-town pharmacies and is only available through larger chains such as Wal-Mart, CVS, Rite Aid, and others, depending on where you live. If an individual is to find a particular product, he or she must, in this case, bypass the local store for a chain. Large chain pharmacies can also provide medication at prices far below local pharmacies. For many Americans this is reason enough to use them.

Personally speaking, I live in a very small town with a spectacular pharmacy and I often enlist the services and expertise of the pharmacist on staff to point me in the right direction. It’s a resource I can’t do without. I am aware that if you were to ask your local pharmacist to order a product, he or she will make every effort to accommodate you. The problem here involves timing. The average person is not willing to wait and demands immediate resolution.

I heartily endorse shopping locally and supporting those sources that support us. Therefore, readers, make all attempts to stay local for your needs. When this isn’t possible, visit larger establishments (which I will refrain from naming here).