Pharmacy access expands to Rochester neighborhood in need

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — It is a major step forward for pharmacy access in a city neighborhood that has desperately needed it.

Rochester’s 19th Ward neighborhood has a new public pharmacy thanks to URMC and Highland Hospital.

The 19th Ward lost its Walgreens store two years ago, which was the only pharmacy source for a few miles. Just recently, it was announced another Walgreens on West Main St. would close this November.

With URMC’s help, both neighborhoods and beyond will have renewed access to prescription medications. The pharmacy on Genesee St. opened October 1.

“With the recent announcement of another pharmacy closing in this area, this is even more crucial. We had identified this area as a need for a pharmacy. We did a lot of research ahead of time and now we’re really excited to be here at this really crucial time,” said Danielle Webster, assistant director of ambulatory pharmacy at Highland Hospital.

The news of the Walgreens closure on West Main St. brought pushback from Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, who wrote to the company’s CEO asking to reverse course.

Neighbors News 8 spoke to there last week expressed both shock and frustration over the closure, as well as concerns over future access to prescription medications.

“We want to make it easier for patients. Coordinating patient care can be difficult for a lot of people and it’s about eliminating any barriers we can to provide them that easy access,” said Webster.

The pharmacy will also offer free home delivery service and exists along an RTS bus line so that customers won’t run into issues with transportation.

“I think that’s also really attracting patients to come here. We live here and we love this community. We want to be here to support the community in the best way we can, and this area was really deemed an area of need,” said Webster.

The pharmacy on Genesee St. will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone is welcome with referral from a primary care provider.

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