The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association named Harshil Patel, director of Wakefern Food Corp.’s Pharmacy Division, as the new chair of the PFMA Pharmacy Council.
In this role, Patel will guide the council’s efforts in navigating healthcare regulations, advocating for retail pharmacy priorities across Pennsylvania and advancing policy initiatives that support grocery pharmacies and the communities they serve.
“Harshil’s deep knowledge of retail pharmacy operations and regulatory advocacy makes him an exceptional choice to lead our Pharmacy Council,” said Alex Baloga, president and CEO of PFMA. “Pharmacy services within retail food stores are a crucial pillar of public health and accessibility across Pennsylvania. We look forward to Harshil’s leadership as we advocate for policies that strengthen retail healthcare delivery and benefit consumers statewide.”
Patel joined Wakefern Food Corp. in 2018 after eight years as a pharmacist with ShopRite. As director of the Pharmacy Division, he leads Wakefern’s programs and services that support a network of 151 member-owned pharmacies operating within independently owned ShopRite and select Fresh Grocer supermarkets across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maryland. His responsibilities include pharmacy operations support, regulatory compliance, clinical services and field team coordination. He works with legal and finance partners, oversees pharmacy compliance programs and collaborates with member pharmacy operators to advance patient care, immunization services, medication therapy management and operations.
A licensed pharmacist, Patel holds a doctor of pharmacy and a master of business administration degree. Before assuming his current role, he advanced through leadership positions overseeing pharmacy operations, compliance and clinical programs. Through his work at Wakefern, he helps lead initiatives that enable ShopRite and Fresh Grocer pharmacies to expand access to immunizations, preventive care and chronic disease management in the communities they serve. Patel is also active in the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and collaborates with pharmacy associations and industry stakeholders throughout the region.
“I am honored to step into the role of Pharmacy Council chair at such a critical time for retail healthcare,” said Patel. “Retail pharmacies play an essential, accessible role in maintaining public health in urban and rural communities alike. I look forward to working alongside PFMA staff, member organizations and state lawmakers to ensure our pharmacy teams have the legislative support and resources necessary to deliver high-quality patient care.”
The PFMA Pharmacy Council serves as a forum for supermarket and retail pharmacy operators to discuss emerging healthcare legislation, legislative strategies, scope-of-practice developments and supply chain updates impacting pharmacy departments across the commonwealth.