Black-Owned Pharmacy Breaking Barriers in St. Louis

GreaterHealth Pharmacy and Wellness provides equitable and culturally responsive pharmacy services to the St. Louis area.

February 28, 2023 | 2 min reading time

A new St. Louis pharmacy is using an innovative and culturally competent approach to patient care. GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness, located in the West End Neighborhood in the Delmar DivINe building, provides equitable and culturally responsive pharmacy services to the St. Louis area, including more accessible access to medications and wellness care.

Funded through the Missouri Foundation for Health and additionally supported through SSM Health, GreaterHealth works to close the gap in health disparities by giving Black St. Louisans a place where patients can identify with their pharmacy staff. Its employees provide supportive, personalized care, including educational resources, gender health screenings, point-of-care testing and free delivery services to bridge transportation barriers.

“The first time I visited GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness, I had a deeper understanding of what this meant for the community, especially the Black and brown communities of St. Louis,” says Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, Director of Health for the City of St. Louis. “By having equitable products and services available, and being prepared to meet patients where they are in their health journeys, they are ensuring the community has avenues for greater access to healthcare.”

The 2020 United States Census shows over 40% of the U-S population is from a racial or ethnic minority group. In the City of St. Louis, 54% of the population is from a racial or ethnic minority group. With the ever-increasingly diverse population in the community, health professionals must understand diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs to deliver quality care.

“Growing up in St. Louis, I am no stranger to the health inequities in our community, which is why I decided to be part of the solution,” says Marcus Howard, Founder and CEO of GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness. “Our ability to have culturally and racially diverse staff members is one way we are working to create an environment where patients feel seen and heard, allowing them to be more comfortable, open, and honest about their medical needs.”

GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness is open Mondays-Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Additional information about the pharmacy is available on its website.

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