Over the past decade, there has been a decline in services in our retail businesses. Chain store pharmacies have not been immune to these trends. Store closures have been followed by a reduction in store hours and pharmacy hours which have led to reductions in sales floor staff and the number of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Pharmacies further reduce their service hours by closing for lunch. Lastly, we find that our favorite pharmacists are not always there to assist us, and the relief staff is not familiar with the pharmacy or their clientele.

Fortunately, Skinner’s Pharmacy is still locally owned and operated by a husband and wife team of licensed pharmacists who collectively have over 48 years of pharmacy experience, Ahmed Atallah and Samia Zaki. Both strongly agree that it is extremely important that Skinner’s maintains the same levels of customer service and satisfaction that were originally established by Ed Skinner when he opened the pharmacy in 1961.

*Husband and wife team, Ahmed Atallah and Samia Zaki, have created a locally owned and operated network of pharmacies that focus on customer service and satisfaction.*

In the early 1980’s Skinner agreed to sell the pharmacy to his assistant pharmacist and his wife, Tony and Carol Skelly. Tony and his wife continued the Skinner’s tradition of outstanding customer service which made the pharmacy a fixture on the Peninsula. When it came time for Tony and Carol to step away from the full time operation of the pharmacy, they wanted to find the right buyers who were interested in continuing the same commitment to customer service that has become synonymous with Skinner’s. They were greatly pleased that Atallah and Zaki were interested in purchasing the business.

*Skelly has been a fixture behind the Skinner’s Pharmacy counter for four decades.*

As part of the transition, Tony and his wife Carol agreed to stay on at the business as Atallah and Zaki assumed ownership. Already owning and operating two other pharmacies, Fox Drug of Torrance and Kovacs-Frey Pharmacy and Home Health Care in Redondo Beach, they knew their son Kamal, who recently graduated from Washington State University’s Pharmacy School would be the ideal pharmacist to assume the role of Pharmacist in Charge at Skinner’s.

*Kamal Atallah is the Pharmacist in Charge at Skinner’s.*

Eventually Carol retired, but Tony admits that he is not ready to fully retire, and he works a reduced schedule alongside Kamal and the other members of the pharmacy staff.

“You will consistently find the same pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and clerks behind the counter each time you enter the door,” Zaki proudly states. “Because of this, we get to know each of our customers, and we not only know their prescription needs, but also their doctors and insurance coverage.”

Zaki continues, “Being a small pharmacy we are available to answer your questions whether you visit our store in person or contact us by telephone or text messages. Also, we are able to work with you and your doctors if there are issues related to your prescriptions, including adjusting your medications, possible interactions with other medications, or the need for emergency refills or advanced vacation refill needs.”

Whether you are part of a group health plan, have Medi-Care, or other types of prescription drug coverage plans, Skinner’s staff members are always available to answer your questions or work with your coverage to ensure you receive your full benefits and the medications to meet health needs.

Skinner’s offers its customers two services to assist you with saving time and reducing the number of pharmacy visits. Are you tired of frequent trips to the pharmacy to pick up medications each month? Skinner’s pharmacists can synchronize your medications in order for you to be able to pick up all of your medications on the same day each month.

And, if your don’t have time during the day to pick up your medications, Skinner’s offers home delivery within a five-mile radius of their store. For a nominal fee, Skinner’s uses their staff of drivers, not a hired service, to deliver your order, Monday through Friday and most deliveries can be accommodated on the same day.

If you spend a portion of your morning or evening separating pills into separate containers so they can be taken at various times of the day, Skinner’s EZ Pak can relieve you of this time consuming task. For a small fee, Skinner’s will organize your medications by day and time in individual easy-open pouches contained in a small box that are sequentially ordered. The pouches can be torn off when it is time to take the medication. If you need to take your medication while away from your home, the pouches can be taken off the roll and easily kept in your pocket, backpack or purse and taken at the appropriate time.

*This computerized machine assembles the EZ Pak pouches that are sequentially ordered and labeled before they are rolled which is placed into dispensed from a small box.*

Zaki points out, “The EZ Pak can be a relief for caregivers or older patients. The sequential order of the packets makes it easy to see if the medication was taken at the prescribed time and there are no worries about ensuring that the appropriate medications were properly included with the other medications at the time they should have been taken.”

*Save time by having the staff at Skinners sort and individually package your medication in easy to open packets that can be easily carried in your pocket, pulse or backpack.*

When it comes to addressing your vaccination needs, Skinner’s pharmacists are available to administer a number of vaccinations including shingles, pneumonia, flu, RSV, and COVID.

In addition to over the counter medications, supplements, diabetic medications, first aid items and a limited amount of wound care needs, Skinner’s offers a limited selection of home health care needs including mobility and accessibility devices. Also, a selection of support stockings and orthopedic support braces and sleeves are available. If you cannot find the item to meet your specific medical needs, Skinner’s staff can assist you with that search.

Zaki is confident that no matter your health care needs, Skinner’s staff of professionals can provide a personal level of care that cannot be equaled.

In addition to your medical needs, Skinner’s offers greeting cards, gift items, and seasonal items for yourself or as unique gifts for someone special!

Zaki and her husband also own and operate two other Good Neighbor Pharmacies; Fox Drug of Torrance located in the Old Downtown section of the City of Torrance and Kovacs-Frey Pharmacy & Home Health Care in the City of Redondo Beach behind the South Bay Galleria.

Zaki states, “If we do not have the specific item you’re looking for at Skinner’s there is a good chance we have it in stock at one of our two other stores, and we will arrange to have it delivered to Skinner’s. And, if the item is not available at any of our stores, we will work with our suppliers to locate the item and have it delivered to us for in store pick-up or delivery.”

*Zaki states, “A*ll items at Kovacs and Fox are available for either same day or next day delivery to skinners or to the customer residence. We also do special orders for more items from any of our suppliers.”

Zaki points out that their Kovacs-Frey location has one of the widest selections in the area of home health items to assist with bathroom needs and other accessibility issues. In addition, their mobility equipment selection features a variety of options from crutches, knee scooters, wheelchairs, and other devices. Also, they recognize that some individuals may only need a wheelchair or a knee scooter for a short period of time, and they offer these items for rent. Also, Kovacs-Frey offers a complete selection of orthopedic supports and braces along with a variety of hot and cold therapy options.

Zaki explains, “Kovacs-Frey offers Nebulizers, which are not commonly found in most pharmacies and nebulizer solution. We keep both items in stock at Kovacs-Frey.”

Also, Kovacs-Frey offers a wide selection of wound care needs. Everything from cleaning solution to bandages are readily available. Zaki clarifies, ”Doctors often send their patients home with a limited supply of products, and we find that after two or three days, we get patients calling us or coming in looking for additional supplies. We know that everyone may not need these types of supplies, but when they do, Kovacs-Frey has the items they need in stock.”

Fox Drug of Torrance also offers a variety of home health care products including bathroom safety products, mobility devices, orthopedic devices, and wound care, in addition to durable medical equipment.

*Whether you shop Skinners, Fox Drug or Torrance, or Kovacs-Frey, your pharmacist can provide you with a variety of medical supplies, devices, or medications to address your health needs.*

Skinner’s Pharmacy is located at 905 Deep Valley Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, contact (310) 377-4871 or visit their website at skinnerspharmacy.biz.

Fox Drug of Torrance is located at 1327 El Prado Ave., Torrance, CA 90501. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information contact (310) 328-7244 or visit their website at foxdrugoftorrance.com.

Kovacs-Frey Pharmacy & Home Health Care is located at 2860 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information contact (310) 371-7541 or their website at kovacsfrey.com.

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Steve Tabor

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve began his photography career photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. His experiences have led him to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics in his portfolio. As a contributor and photojournalist, he has published stories about the people, places and events in and around the Palos Verdes Peninsula and beyond.

Interested in seeing more of Steve’s work, visit website at: www.stevetaborimages.com