A Black-owned pharmacy has opened in west Louisville, KY.
Good Brothers Pharmacy was founded by longtime friends DeShawn King (CEO) and Isaiah Jones (chief operating officer), who share a passion for health equity, according to the pharmacy’s website. The pair initially saw a need for personalized care for college students near Northern Kentucky University and the University of Cincinnati. Their vision expanded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and after planning and a few challenges, Good Brothers Pharmacy has officially opened in the Russell neighborhood on West Main Street.
“Good Brothers Pharmacy is more than a business; it’s a promise,” said King, according to WLKY Channel 32. “It’s a promise that we are going to stay here forever and we’re going to make an impact on the west Louisville community.”
Several pillars will guide the pharmacy, including “trusted relationships with patients; accessible, patient-friendly services; community involvement and empowerment; and culturally competent, personalized care.” Good Brothers Pharmacy exemplifies this through its offerings, which include OTC medications, immunizations, health screenings, specialty medication, curbside pickup, and free delivery. Additionally, the pharmacy provides medication therapy management, offering thorough and personalized sessions to help patients understand their medications and avoid complications, as well as supports medication adherence by giving patients the resources to stay on track with their medication plan. Pharmacies are often the first stop for health care needs.
“A lot of patients don’t know that. As a pharmacist, you are the first contact that a patient has for medical reasons … Some people aren’t comfortable going to hospitals or making appointments. They come here in their most vulnerable states looking for medical advice,” Michaela Brooks, a Louisville native and pharmacist-in-charge at Good Brothers Pharmacy, told WLKY.
According to the outlet, the arrival of Good Brothers Pharmacy marks Louisville’s first Black-owned pharmacy. Its grand opening comes after the closing of a nearby CVS Pharmacy in 2024, which meant the closest pharmacy for a while had been downtown, nearly two miles away from the Russell neighborhood, the co-founders mention.
“It is awesome to be able to see the residents of West Louisville be able to have access to equitable resources,” Nefertia Mason, a mental health practitioner in the area, told the outlet.
