Customer lines at pharmacies are often long, especially in the winter, when it seems everyone is sick and needs a prescription filled at the same time.

Burke's Parkville Pharmacy, scheduled to open at the end of the month, hopes to eliminate those long waits by offering delivery service.

"We want to fill the void of independent pharmacies and offer delivery service," said Pat Burke, owner of the pharmacy, which is affiliated with the Epic group.

The 2,000-square-foot pharmacy is located at 8500 Harford Road, the former site of the Teaching Resource Center. The hours of operation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The building was gutted and the Epic's green and gray signature colors have been added to the interior, said Burke, who also owns pharmacies in Hampden and Reisterstown.

"We are making it nice, appealing and inviting," he said.

Aside from a full line of prescription medicines; medical equipment, such as braces, and vitamins, the pharmacy will also provide bill-paying services.

Burke said customers can pay BGE, Verizon and credit cards bills at the pharmacy, along with filling Blue Cross and Medicare orders.

"If someone is diabetic and they need their supplies, they won't have to drive all over for them or wait for them to come in the mail," Burke said.

The store will also sell beverages and snacks and in the future will have a Maryland lottery machine.

Burke said the delivery service is a special convenience for senior citizens.

"Sometimes they can't get out or have trouble getting out or will have to wait for a family member to drive from Bel Air to pick up the prescription," he said.

With Edwards & Anthony Medical Supply and Anchor Pharmacy having closed in the area, Burke said the concept of a neighborhood, personal-service pharmacy is dying off.

An exception would be State Drugs at 7900 Harford Road, now in business for 40 years.

"We want to bring that (personal touch) back little by little," Burke said. "It is important for people to see the same pharmacist every time they come in so they become comfortable with them and ask them questions."

For information about Burke's Parkville Pharmacy, call 410-665-2600.

E-mail Jennifer Przydzial at jprzydzial@patuxent.com.