For Pharmacists Michael and Rita Winn, their work is much more than just filling prescriptions.

The Winns, owners of Winn Pharmacy on Wilson Road, get a special joy from interacting with customers.

&uot;I’ve always wanted to help people,&uot;&160;Michael said &uot;I’ve had the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.&uot;

His wife Rita agrees.

&uot;Sometime your recommendations and you referrals can be life-saving (to patients),&uot;&160;she said.

The Winns opened their pharmacy about one year ago. Rita works at the business and also does consulting work.

Michael has worked the last 12 years for Eckerd Drugs but he plans to begin working at Winn Pharmacy full-time next month.

They both graduated from Alcorn State University and Xavier College and they are registered pharmacists in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

Owning their own pharmacy has been a long-time goal for the Winns.

The Winns and their, Pharmacy Technician, Catrina Buchannan, focus themselves on meeting customer needs in a quiet and pleasant atmosphere – often bridging the gap between patients and their doctors.

&uot;Working in a pharmacy you see a lot of needs,&uot;&160;Michael said.

Occasionally pharmacists help a patient make decisions that could ultimately save their lives.

Michael said he once helped a customer who wanted to buy medicine for a cough. After talking about his symptoms, Michael advised him to go to the hospital immediately.

&uot;He was having a heart attack and didn’t know it,&uot; Michael said.

The pharmacy also offers other perks for its customers such as a drive-through window and a Health-Touch Monitor – a computer that allows customers to look up diseases and print out information. The Winns also have a counseling area to talk with customers about medication.

Customers often enjoy the privacy and the chance to ask questions they may not feel comfortable asking a doctor, the Winns said.