Your Local Pharmacy in Chapel Hill, NC
As life speeds up this fall, 501 Pharmacy is here to help you slow down, simplify your routine, and stay connected with our Chapel Hill and Pittsboro communities. In this month’s blog, we’re highlighting free remote patient monitoring, easy prescription options, ways to support local schools and charities, and of course, a little ice cream reward for taking care of your health!
As we ease into the upcoming autumn season, your team at 501 Pharmacy is busy keeping Chapel Hill healthy, prepared, and thriving! From back-to-school essentials to exciting new clinical services and community fundraisers, here is everything happening at the pharmacy right now.
Can you believe we are already cruising through June? The days are long, the sports are thrilling, and the pharmacy is buzzing. We have a lot of exciting community updates, local favorites, and important health news to share this month. Grab a cold drink and let’s dive in!
You might have seen on the news recently that the FDA issued a recall for over 11,000 bottles of Chlorthalidone 25mg (a medication often used for blood pressure).
The Good News: This recall only applies to specific lot numbers manufactured by Rising Pharma. We do not carry this manufacturer’s product at 501 Pharmacy, so if you get your medication from us, you are completely unaffected!
Have questions about your prescriptions? Reach out to our team anytime. We are always here to give you total peace of mind.
Whew, it is getting hot out there! Luckily, we have the ultimate cure for those soaring North Carolina temperatures right inside the pharmacy.
We are proudly scooping up fresh, delicious Maple View Ice Cream at our Ice Cream Corner. There’s no better way to reward yourself after running errands than with a cold scoop of a local favorite.
If you or a loved one takes medications containing estradiol—especially the patches—you probably know that they have been on a frustrating national backorder over the past month. We know how stressful drug shortages can be, but you don’t have to press pause on your therapy.
As a custom compounding pharmacy, we can compound customized estradiol creams right here in our lab! It is a fantastic substitute to keep your routine seamless until the commercial shortage finally ends.
What to do next: Give us a call at 984-999-0501or talk to your doctor to see if a compounded cream is a good alternative for you. If it is, have them send the prescription straight over to us, and we will take care of the rest!
If you know Han, you know he absolutely loves sports… especially swimming! Swimming is one of the absolute best summer activities out there. It’s a killer full-body workout, builds great cardiovascular endurance, and stays incredibly easy on the joints.
Because we love supporting our local athletes, 501 Pharmacy is thrilled to be an official sponsor of the NCAC (North Carolina Aquatic Club) and a proud sponsor of our local summer league favorites, the Briar Chapel Barracudas!
A Quick Reminder from Han: If you are spending the day splashing around outside, don’t forget the sunscreen! Look for a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and make sure to reapply every two hours (or right after towel-drying).
What a month it has been for sports fans in North Carolina! We have two shout-outs to deliver:
The Carolina Hurricanes did it! They are officially your 2026 Stanley Cup Champions! What an incredible final series against Vegas to bring the Cup back home to North Carolina.
A big round of applause to the UNC Tar Heels baseball team for an unforgettable, electric run all the way to the NCAA National Championship game. We are so incredibly proud of our local guys!
You can’t celebrate epic summer sports without a proper cookout. Fall in love with local flavor by picking up some Cackalacky Tarheel BBQ grilling sauce right here at the pharmacy! We stock an awesome lineup of local Cackalacky products that will instantly elevate your backyard BBQ game.
Fire up the grill: Swing by 501 Pharmacy today to grab your prescriptions, get a scoop of ice cream, and stock up on your favorite Cackalacky sauces for the ultimate summer feast. See you soon!
The Drug Bug isn’t the only thing that’s going to be covered in pollen soon! As the North Carolina pines start dusting everything in yellow, millions of us are bracing for the familiar cycle of sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion.
Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day. It doesn’t take breaks, and most of the time, we don’t think about it until something feels off.
February is American Heart Month—a reminder to pause and ask: How is my heart health, really?
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but many of its risk factors are manageable with consistent habits and the right support. At 501 Pharmacy, we believe heart health isn’t just about prescriptions. It’s about prevention, monitoring, education, and empowering our community with practical tools.
Many cardiovascular risk factors don’t cause obvious symptoms. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer.” High cholesterol typically has no warning signs. Early-stage heart disease can develop quietly. That’s why knowing your numbers matters.
Common risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and family history. If you haven’t checked your blood pressure recently, American Heart Month is a great time to start.
Protecting your heart doesn’t require dramatic changes overnight. It’s built through small, consistent habits—taking medications as prescribed, monitoring blood pressure regularly, reducing sodium intake, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress. It’s not about perfection. It’s about consistency.
As your local, independent pharmacy, 501 Pharmacy offers personalized support that goes beyond simply filling prescriptions.
If you take medication for high blood pressure, cholesterol, or other cardiovascular conditions, our pharmacists can review:
Medication adherence is one of the most important factors in reducing heart disease risk—and we’re here to make sure you feel confident in your regimen. If you’ve ever had a question about why you’re taking something or whether two medications can be taken together, we’re here to help.
We carry at-home blood pressure monitors and other wellness tools so you can track your health between doctor visits. Monitoring at home provides better long-term insight than a single reading at an appointment and allows you to spot trends over time. If you’re unsure how to use a monitor correctly, our team is happy to walk you through it.
Heart health is also connected to overall wellness. Through our vitamins and supplements offerings at 501 Pharmacy, we help patients navigate options thoughtfully and safely. While some supplements may support cardiovascular health as part of a balanced lifestyle, they are not one-size-fits-all.
If you take blood pressure medication, cholesterol medication, or blood thinners, it’s especially important to talk with a pharmacist before starting anything new. We can help you understand what may support your goals, avoid unnecessary products, and prevent potential interactions.
American Heart Month is also about being prepared. The American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn hands-only CPR and understand the warning signs of heart attack and stroke. Immediate CPR can significantly increase survival rates during cardiac arrest.
We encourage our community to explore the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month resources and consider taking a CPR class. Being prepared could save a life.
This month, start simple. Check your blood pressure. Review your medications. Ask a question you’ve been meaning to ask. Take a short walk. Learn hands-only CPR.
Small changes—done consistently—can make a meaningful difference.
At 501 Pharmacy, we’re proud to serve our community not just as a place to pick up prescriptions, but as a healthcare partner you can trust. If you have questions about your heart health, your medications, or your supplement routine, stop by and talk with us or give us a call at 984-999-0501.
Your heart works hard for you every day. Let’s help you take care of it.
