The pharmacy opened on the first floor at Family First Health’s center.

Earlier this month, Family First Health Center opened a new pharmacy on the first floor of its location at 116 George St. in York, Pennsylvania.

The pharmacy is open to all individuals and patients, regardless of income or insurance status. 

Family First Health is a nonprofit that was founded in 1970. It is a federally qualified health center that provides primary healthcare, dental care, social services, and pharmaceuticals to the community. 

Over recent years, 17 Rite Aid pharmacies have closed in York County. The community has been in need of a new pharmacy to help alleviate the lack of service caused by the significant closures. 

“Family First Pharmacy is a direct investment in the health of our community. We know that cost, time, and coordination are some of the biggest barriers to patients filling prescriptions. By offering affordable medications and immediate access in the same place where patients receive care, we’re simplifying the process and improving outcomes,” said Jason Long, lead pharmacist at Family First Pharmacy in a recent release. 

Prescriptions will be offered on a sliding scale for uninsured and underinsured patients at the pharmacy. 

The location of the clinic and pharmacy have been strategically chosen to help members of the community that lack easy access to transportation services. According to York City’s Bureau of Health, over 18% of occupied housing units do not have access to a vehicle. 

“As we know, a lot of pharmacies have closed in our community and certainly across the Commonwealth and our country. So, this great access to medication is needed by the residents in our community,” said Julie Wheeler, the president commissioner of York County. 

Jenny Englerth, president and CEO of Family First Health, said, “People are struggling with access to pharmacy services, with the closures of pharmacies in the city, particularly those that may struggle with transportation, or may not have easy access to transportation. We hope that this will be easier for people to access all the way around and will provide a high-quality service to the individuals that choose to use this pharmacy.”

Family First Health operates sites in York, Lancaster, and Lebanon Counties.