New pharmacy, immediate care center opens in Louisville's Hazelwood neighborhood amid chain closures

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Pharmacy chains have closed stores nationwide which has left patients stranded without the medication they need.

In the last few years, at least six major pharmacies have closed in Louisville. Now, a community health center is stepping up to help close the gap.

"They are amazing doctors," Patricia Amoua, a Family Health Centers patient, said. "Everyday I pray for the doctors."

HAZELWOOD FAMILY CENTER (2).jpeg — A new Family Health Center opened July 11, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. (WDRB photo)

Amoua has been a patient at Family Health Centers for about 11 years. Now she has access to a brand new pharmacy just steps away from where she sees her doctor.

"You get out from the clinic, you just come out to the pharmacy that's close to you," Amoua said. "I think it's very helpful and easy for us."

Amoua came to Louisville from West Africa.

She's part of the large immigrant, refugee, and low-income population served by the not-for-profit community health center.

The new facility in the Hazelwood Shopping Center on Taylor Boulevard features a pharmacy and urgent care. Where the location opened is also vitally important.

"We are in a pharmacy desert of sorts," Dr. Michael Lin, chief of pharmacy operations, said.

Family Health Centers - Iroquois Pharmacy and Immediate Care is located at 4112 Taylor Boulevard.

Pharmacy closures in Louisville have disproportionately impacted low-income neighborhoods.

"That made us even more motivated to open a pharmacy to help serve those patients that were already underserved," Lin said.

Last year, Family Health Centers says it served nearly 7,000 patients in the two zip codes around the new facility.

"Everyday without fail, you would see patients come in who could not afford their medications," Lin said.

Now, patients can get the medication they need close to where they live and at a much lower cost.

"It doesn't matter if you see your doctor four times a year, if you can't afford the medications that they write for you, you're not going to get better," Lin said.

This location is helping close a gap from people like Amoua.

"I just want to tell them that they are amazing and just want to tell them thank you so much," Amoua said.

The pharmacy industry is struggling nationwide. Just weeks ago Walgreens announced it will likely close hundreds of additional stores over the next few years.

It's not clear if any Louisville locations will be impacted.

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