A Prescription For Caring

WHEN WALKING INTO Heritage Pharmacy in Upper Makefield Township, there’s an immediate small-town feel with owner and pharmacist Manoj Parikh knowing customers by name. Parikh’s conversations go beyond a generic, “Can I help you find something?” He takes time to get to know his patients’ health histories, anticipates their medical needs, and even remembers important dates like birthdays or anniversaries.

“My favorite aspect of being an owner and pharmacist is interacting with the customers and making sure I’m helping patients out,” Parikh says. “It’s an honor to serve the local

community that I have here. They are very loyal.”

Upper Makefield Township resident Rose Miller is a dedicated customer. “I love it here because it’s close by and the staff is so nice,” she says. “In fact, I’m here almost every single day. Manoj is so friendly and helpful. It’s very personal here, and he knows all of the needs for my husband and me.”

CARRYING ON A LEGACY

Parikh has always loved chemistry, biology, and math and knew he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. He eventually decided to go the pharmaceutical route and received his doctor of pharmacy from Temple University.

After working at Walgreens for 20 years, he was looking for a change. He found out that Heritage Pharmacy was for sale when the previous owner was retiring. In 2021, Parikh became the owner of the independent business. For more than 70 years, the property has been home to a pharmacy. In fact, there are antique medicine bottles and old prescriptions on display throughout the store.

“As the owner, it’s demanding, but rewarding,” Parikh says. “I look at things I never looked at in my previous job—I’m pretty keen on prices and ordering and forecasting what I’ll need. I believe all the patients stayed on when I took over. I know a lot of medicines they could get cheaper somewhere else, but they say we want to give you the business and keep you in town, and I really appreciate that.”

Heritage Pharmacy has two full-time staff members, both of whom worked for the previous owner. Parikh’s wife, Nirali, is also a pharmacist and started training in-house a few months ago.

The front of the store stocks a variety of typical pharmacy products, with greeting cards being the most popular items. On the medical end, the business continues to provide all health care needs pertaining to prescriptions and other services like pill pack medicines for seniors.

Since taking over, Parikh has made a significant change by offering vaccinations to patients. “At Walgreens, I was in charge of COVID vaccinations for Bucks County, so I wanted to do  vaccinations at Heritage,” Parikh says. “I knew I wouldn’t get clientele just by filling prescriptions, so I wanted to give even better service options. It was the best decision, because patients would come in, I’d get to talk to them, and they got to know me. The first flu season we did a good amount, and the second season we tripled what we were doing.”

CARING FOR CLIENTS

Parikh’s connection to his clients has been expanded to the next level by taking his work out of the store and into the community. He partnered with a delivery company that transports prescriptions for a nominal fee to those who can’t come into the pharmacy and need their medication during the day. However, if it’s not an emergency, Parikh has been known to drop off medications at or administer vaccinations in patients’ homes after work, free of charge.

“Monaj and the staff are like having a concierge pharmacy,” Upper Makefield resident Bart Krauss says. “They really understand all the complexities around the drugs you are taking. Last September, I got hit by a tree and it was pretty critical. My wife, who is a nurse, was taking care of me. She called Manoj and said I needed medication, and Manoj drove it over. He’s just great, a real pleasure.”

Heritage Pharmacy has a constant flow of people coming in daily to get prescriptions filled or purchase everyday needs. Parikh says there will be an uptick of customers in October with the start of flu season. He highly recommends patients get the flu shot each year, the RSV vaccine every two years, and the shingles shot as needed for those over 50. The earlier you get the vaccinations, the sooner they’ll take effect to fight potential illnesses.

As for the future, Parikh is hoping to move next door so the pharmacy can have a second floor for more storage. He says if they have better storage on the back end, then he can work on the logistics of cost control for medications. The long-term plan is to continue to build up the business and keep adding personal touches for their customers.

He and his wife are delighted about how they’ve been welcomed into the community with open arms. In return, they like to pay it forward by sponsoring local organizations and causes and partaking in volunteer opportunities.

“It’s a small town, and we love the people here,” Nirali Parikh says.

“We socialize so much when the clients come in. The reason we do pharmacy work is because of the patient interactions, and I just love helping people.”

Parikh likewise believes in the importance of serving others. “I do this for the fulfillment of the profession,” he says. “I believe in karma. We want to make people’s lives better. Even if it’s something small that we do, that’s fine. We try to take care of them the best way we can.”

TIPS FOR COLD AND FLU SEASON

Manoj Parikh, owner and pharmacist of Heritage Pharmacy, offers this advice on how to protect yourself as autumn ushers in the beginning of cold and flu season.

• Get the flu vaccine in October.

• Keep social distance when somebody is sick.

• Maintain proper hygiene, including washing your hands regularly and always carrying hand sanitizer.

• Boost your immune system with vitamin C and zinc.

BY DARI KOTZKER