G & K Pharmacy Opens in Tilghman Square

Countering an earlier trend to chain-store and mail-order pharmacies, a new, independent pharmacy has opened in South Whitehall -- G & K Pharmacy, at 4680 Broadway in the Tilghman Square shopping center.

Owner and pharmacist Shalu Gupta, 36, who received her doctor of pharmacy degree in 1999 at Rutgers University, has worked in hospital and clinic settings and has managed patients who use the blood-thinner Coumadin. She opened the pharmacy in late September, with a grand opening Oct. 22.

“I specialize in oncology,” said Gupta. “I’m board certified." 

The pharmacy's location is strategic, near  and the St. Luke's Cancer Center, both on Cetronia Road. With her training and experience, including in oncology and managing patients on blood-thinners, Gupta said, "I can be a resource for people." 

Gupta said she will be able to distinguish herself from chain-store and mail-order pharmacies in other ways too: customer service, compounding, flavoring medications for people and pets and free local delivery. She is also offering flu vaccinations for those 18 years and older, with no appointment, and the flu nasal spray.  

She said she plans to add a pharmacist-based weight-loss program, as well as the shingles vaccine and travel vaccinations.  

Gupta also offers retail items, such as greeting cards at discount.

G & K Pharmacy joins the 23,000 independent pharmacies across the country, including 1,004 in Pennsylvania, said John Norton, a spokesman for the National Community Pharmacists Association. He said the competition from chain-store and mail-order pharmacies resulted in a 20-year decline (from 1985-2005) in the number of independent pharmacies. But over the last six years, he said, the number of independent pharmacies have stabilized.

"There's obviously a very strong market" in the pharmacy industry, given the number of aging Baby Boomers, Norton said.

He said that independent pharmacies try to find their niche by offering services beyond what customers can get from chains store and through mail orders, such as home delivery, medical equipment sales and compounding, in which drugs are specially tailored to meet patients' needs. Or they open in areas to try to fill a void in service, such as near oncology centers, urban centers or rural areas.

Gupta and her family had moved to the Lehigh Valley from Wilkes-Barre earlier this year, when her husband, Shekhar Gupta, found a job opportunity here. 

Gupta said she received encouragement to open her own business at a meeting last May for those interested in opening independent pharmacies. G & K Pharmacy is named for her children, Gia and Krish.

Gupta's grand opening attracted family and customers. Also joining the ribbon-cutting were township Commissioners Brad Osborne and Tori Morgan.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.