Independent Neighborhood Pharmacies Making a Difference: Healthfirst Honors 12 Community Pharmacies with Inaugural Pharmacy Excellence Awards
In a powerful testament to the vital role that local, independent pharmacies play in the health and well-being of New Yorkers, Healthfirst—the leading not-for-profit health plan serving more than two million residents across the state—has announced the recipients of its inaugural Pharmacy Excellence Awards. This landmark recognition honors 12 outstanding community pharmacies located across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan for their exceptional contributions to improving health outcomes among Healthfirst Medicare members. These pharmacies have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to closing critical care gaps, enhancing medication adherence, and delivering compassionate, personalized care to some of the city’s most vulnerable populations.
The Pharmacy Excellence Awards are a cornerstone of Healthfirst’s broader initiative to strengthen partnerships with independent pharmacists by equipping them with cutting-edge tools, data-driven insights, and targeted support systems. Through this program, Healthfirst empowers pharmacists to move beyond traditional dispensing roles and become proactive, integral members of their patients’ care teams. Among hundreds of participating pharmacies across New York City, the 12 award winners distinguished themselves in 2024 by achieving the highest rates of medication adherence and executing the most impactful, timely interventions to address unmet clinical needs among Medicare beneficiaries.
Medication adherence—the consistent and correct use of prescribed medications—is widely recognized as one of the most significant determinants of long-term health outcomes, particularly for older adults managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and asthma. Non-adherence can lead to disease progression, avoidable hospitalizations, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life. Recognizing this, Healthfirst’s pharmacy support program provides real-time alerts, predictive analytics, and streamlined communication channels that enable pharmacists to identify at-risk members early and intervene effectively.
The honored pharmacies are not just places to fill prescriptions—they are trusted neighborhood institutions where pharmacists know their patients by name, understand their unique challenges, and often serve as the first and most accessible point of contact in the healthcare system. Many of these small businesses operate in medically underserved communities where access to primary care may be limited, making the pharmacist’s role even more critical.
Over the past week, Healthfirst leadership visited each of the 12 award-winning locations to personally present the Pharmacy Excellence Award, celebrating their achievements and reaffirming the health plan’s commitment to supporting local healthcare providers. The recipients include:
- Brooklyn: ABC Pharmacy Inc., Pharmacia Popular Inc., and Sisto Pharmacy
- Bronx: Felicity Pharmacy, SJS Pharmacy Inc., and Victor Pharmacy
- Manhattan: San Agustin Pharmacy (Curewell Drugs), Family Plus Pharmacy, and MetroRx Pharmacy
- Queens: All RX Pharmacy 1, Arcadia Health Pharmacy, and Victory Pharmacy
“These community pharmacies are more than just dispensers of medication—they are pillars of public health in their neighborhoods,” said Bhavesh Modi, Vice President of Pharmacy at Healthfirst. “They know their patients by name and understand the daily challenges they face. Many pharmacists express a deep desire to spend more time educating patients on medication management, but they’re also running small businesses with tight margins and operational pressures. Through this program, we’re giving them the tools, technology, and support they need to make an even greater impact on the health of their communities—without adding to their burden.”
The impact of these efforts is already evident. Across the Healthfirst network, pharmacies enrolled in the program have significantly improved medication adherence rates among Medicare members. For example, many of the award-winning pharmacies implemented synchronized prescription refill programs, conducted regular medication therapy management (MTM) consultations, and followed up with patients who started new high-risk medications—all strategies proven to enhance treatment effectiveness and reduce complications.
Priyank Patel, owner of Felicity Pharmacy in the Bronx, shared how the program has transformed his practice: “For patients managing multiple chronic conditions, staying on top of their medications can be overwhelming. The technology provided by Healthfirst alerts me when a member may need support—whether it’s synchronizing their refills, checking in after they start a new therapy, or simply reminding them why a particular medication is important. It allows me to be proactive rather than reactive, and that makes all the difference.”
The timing of the awards announcement is especially significant. It coincides with American Pharmacists Month—a national observance that highlights the essential contributions of pharmacists to public health—and comes just ahead of the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period (October 15–December 7). During this critical window, millions of older adults evaluate and select their health coverage for the coming year. Community pharmacists often serve as trusted advisors during this process, helping seniors understand their options, compare plans, and choose coverage that aligns with their health needs and medication regimens.
New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee, praised the initiative, stating, “It can be daunting to manage several medications without support, especially for our seniors. I extend my congratulations to the local pharmacies being honored and commend Healthfirst for recognizing the indispensable role that independent pharmacies play in helping New Yorkers lead healthier, more independent lives.”
The recognition also underscores a broader shift in healthcare toward value-based, community-centered models that prioritize prevention, coordination, and patient engagement. By investing in independent pharmacies—often the most accessible and culturally competent healthcare providers in urban neighborhoods—Healthfirst is not only improving individual health outcomes but also strengthening the resilience of the entire healthcare ecosystem.
