First charitable pharmacy approved in New Jersey headed by Ritesh Shah

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On Wednesday, February 23rd, the Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy was approved by the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy as the first charitable pharmacy in New Jersey. This critical step in the regulatory process clears the way for the charitable organization to begin dispensing medications free of charge to uninsured and underserved patients.

According to a press release from RSCP, the organization intends to open in April at 224 Shrewsbury Avenue, Red Bank, where, in addition to dispensing free medications, it will serve as a hub for community partners to engage with those in need and provide peripheral social services. It will also work with local schools to provide immunizations to students.

“For years I assisted patients at my local pharmacies who could not afford their medications,” founder Ritesh Shah is quoted saying in the press release. “It is now my pleasure to help guarantee that those in need will have blood pressure, diabetes, and other medications free of charge to help control and prevent chronic diseases.”

To qualify for the free medication, patients will need to be within 300% of the Federal poverty level.

Shah is the owner with five pharmacies in Monmouth County. He recently suffered the loss of his baby sister, which encouraged him to launch this effort.

“I have been incredibly lucky in my life, from my family to my businesses. It is now time for me to give back, to help people right here in our community,” Shah is quoted saying in the press release. “Every day I think about my incredible sister and how she was taken from us, and I will do everything I can to prevent that from happening to someone else in our community,” he added.

Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy envisions creating a healthier community by providing access to medication, education, and services that reduce health disparities, the press release said. The  organization will also provide uninsured and underserved patients with prescriptions for free.

The pharmacy hopes to increase access to medications, immunizations, health education, and pharmacy services to reduce clinical and social health inequities in the community, the press release said.