New Monroe pharmacy promises personalized services

By Christine Urio
MONROE — A new pharmacy is now in the Village of Monroe.

Monroe Pharmacy, located in the Sterling Bank Plaza on Route 17M, held its grand opening on Aug. 3, with staff now ready to offer customers personalized, pharmaceutical services.

“Monroe Pharmacy is a community pharmacy and is committed to bring back the lost glory of the neighborhood pharmacy to aggressive commercial business models practiced by chain pharmacies,” said president and CEO Mohammed Zafar Iqbal, who is also a pharmacist.

Shopping at Monroe Pharmacy will be a different experience than going to a chain pharmacy.

“We treat our customers the way we want to be treated,” Iqbal said.

Shop localAccording to Consumer Reports’ latest drugstore study, the top-rated walk-in stores are neighborhood independents, not giant chains. Additionally, the study said, 94 percent of readers who shopped at independent drugstores were highly satisfied with their experiences.

“We offer everything any big chain offers,” he said. “Millions of people every year endure the impersonal world of 'big chain' pharmacies, and they generally do it for three reasons: They think they are saving money, they have been led to believe they do not have a choice, and they think bigger must be better, but these are myths.”

Consumer Reports has shown that independent pharmacies make fewer errors, offer swifter service and are more likely to have medications on hand and ready for pick up.

“While chain pharmacies may be conveniently located," Iqbal said, "that convenience falls short when you are not treated with the service you deserve.”

An emphasis on communityIqbal described his new shop as a “modern but old concept community pharmacy.”

“We are from this community and we offer a personal care and service to our neighbors,” he said. “In addition to our services, our pharmacists will educate patients with various disease care, such as management of hypertension, diabetes, weight monitoring and well-being of life in a one-on-one setting."

Because health can be a delicate matter, it's important for people to feel both confident and safe with their relationship with a pharmacy, he said.

“We are company of high moral and business ethics,” said Iqbal. “Safety is our number one priority.”

Like all other pharmacies, Monroe Pharmacy is highly regulated by the New York State Board of Pharmacy and all confidentialities and privacies related to patients and their medical records are strictly maintained in compliance with the HEPPA regulations, said Iqbal.

“One-on-one counseling is an integral part of our business,” Iqbal said. “Being a community pharmacy, this is what we do the best, for we strongly believe that it is essential for every patient to improve the well-being of their lives.”

Emergency hotlineAt Monroe Pharmacy, Iqbal said customers benefit from having their prescriptions filled in minutes, which gives them additional time to spend doing the things they love to do.

“Most of the customers come to the pharmacy after sending long hours in doctor’s office, and want to have their medicines as soon as they can to alleviate their sufferings,” Iqbal said. “Waiting is a big problem with all big chain pharmacies because representatives are very busy and the patients are not attended as quickly as their situations demands.”

Additionally, Monroe Pharmacy provides an emergency hotline as well as free prescription delivery, which Iqbal said is a unique way to benefit customers who want to receive their prescriptions in comfort of their home, and a convenient service for those who have physical disability or have no extra help to drive to pharmacy to get their prescription filled.

Local places like this are vital to a thriving community, the pharmacy owner said.

“This is the only community pharmacy of the village named after the village,” Iqbal added.

Essential informationMonroe Pharmacy is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call 395-0909, or email mymonroepharmacy@gmail.com