Pharmacist Zarina Jalal has a deep-seated history in the South End. Her family’s Lincoln Pharmacy has been serving the community since 1988, bringing essential health care services to an area which would otherwise not have access.

Facing a pharmacy desert, the South End is now left with Zarina’s pharmacy in an area that is primarily low-income.

“I think a lot of it has to do with our rising costs,” Jalal said. “Labor, utilities, everything have increased dramatically over the past year and our reimbursement, unfortunately, has remained stagnant or it has decreased.”

This reimbursement was severely affected since Medicaid went to a managed care plan setup, and pharmacies that serve low-income neighborhoods were impacted financially.

“I'm looking forward to next year with the implementation of Medicaid fee for service because what that will do is dramatically increase reimbursement for pharmacies serving these neighborhoods,” said Jalal. “And I hope in doing so we'll see better pharmacy access for people in neighborhoods like the South End.”

Jalal adds a fee-for-service structure will help her continue providing life-saving medication without losing any more money. And for her, it’s not a business, but a way to advocate and stand up for those in need.