One of Binghamton Area’s Last Independent Pharmacies Closes

Another independent pharmacy in the Southern Tier has gone out of business.

Pharmacist Jaysukh Lalkiya said the Apalachin Pharmacy opened in 1958. It closed on Tuesday.

Lalkiya had operated the business on Route 434 in Apalachin for 28 years. The pharmacy operation has been sold to CVS and prescription files will move to that company's store in West Corners.

Lalkiya said he and his wife Kinna made the tough decision to close as "insurance headaches" continued to increase. He said the Medicare and Medicaid fees were hurting the business more than competition from chain pharmacies.

The pharmacist said his customers were "very sad" when they learned the business was being shut down.

Over the years, the Lalkiyas contacted federal and state lawmakers to make them aware of the growing challenges independent pharmacies were facing.

Senator Charles Schumer - who now is the U.S. Senate majority leader - once held a news conference at the Apalachin Pharmacy to discuss legislation designed to help such small businesses.

Lalkiya said while the pharmacy has closed, he and his wife will continue to operate the UPS Store franchise in the same building. A gift shop at the location also remains open.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.

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