CPESN NY, LLC Expands to Nearly 50 Accredited Pharmacies Statewide, Strengthening Diabetes Education Access

Buffalo, N.Y. May 8, 2025 – CPESN NY LLC, an independent practice association representing 281 community pharmacies dedicated to improving chronic disease management in patient care, proudly announces five additional member pharmacies that have achieved accreditation for their diabetes education programs from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). These pharmacies include Black Rock Pharmacy (Buffalo, NY), Drug World Pharmacy (Cold Spring, NY), K & K Pharmacy (Liberty, NY), Mannings Pharmacy (Brooklyn, NY), and Zarchy Pharmacy (Queens, NY). This milestone brings the number of nationally accredited pharmacies offering Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) services in New York to nearly 50 since 2022, demonstrating the network’s commitment to increasing access to diabetes education and programs statewide.

As CPESN NY continues to grow and support DSMES programs to serve the most vulnerable communities, it remains focused on strengthening these efforts through strategic partnerships, improved referral networks with local healthcare providers, and the development of a sustainable billing infrastructure. Accredited pharmacies are reporting measurable improvements in patient outcomes, reinforcing the value of these services while actively addressing and tackling the barriers and challenges in the medical billing process.

Zoya Pritsker, RPh, owner of Church Ave Pharmacy, Inc. in Brooklyn, NY, has fully embraced integrating DSMES into their workflow by empowering her team of ten to incorporate diabetes education into daily patient interactions. “When someone becomes your patient, they trust you and share their experience with others, helping build a community that did not exist before,” she explains.

She never anticipated that one of the biggest challenges in implementing the DSMES program would be medical billing. “The billing process was incredibly discouraging at first, requiring months of relentless follow-up calls and persistence,” says Pritsker. Despite the initial setbacks, she is now successfully billing and receiving paid claims from multiple plans, including Medicare Part B, and she is determined to help other member pharmacies achieve similar results. Adding the DSMES program to her pharmacy has drastically changed her business model. As a member of CPESN NY, she is not only grateful for the opportunities it has provided but also for the shift in mindset about pharmacy and patient care.

The long-term vision for these programs is to establish a nationally recognized, sustainable model for delivering diabetes education through community pharmacies, with substantial progress well underway. This remarkable advancement would not have been possible without the vital, six-year partnership with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), whose ongoing support has been instrumental in expanding access to care and advancing health equity through community pharmacy services across the state.

“With the longstanding partnership between CPESN NY and the NYSDOH, we’ve proven that pharmacies can successfully deliver DSMES sessions and build a financially sustainable model,” says John Croce, President of CPESN NY. “This is true practice transformation. You’re transforming your entire staff, showing that it’s possible, there’s potential, and it can be done!”

CPESN NY, in collaboration with its member pharmacies, is redefining the future of patient-centered care by revolutionizing the role of pharmacy and elevating its impact on patients’ lives. This transformation is creating new opportunities for increased clinical services and innovative care models, further strengthening the health and well-being of numerous communities.

About CPESN NY, LLC

CPESN NY, LLC / IPA is a registered healthcare entity within NYS. It is an independent practice association that has developed a growing network of more than 280 pharmacies structured to advance community-based pharmacy practice. Its mission is to empower local pharmacies deeply rooted within the community by fostering the ability to provide high-quality, patient-centered enhanced services.

CPESN NY pharmacies closely work with other providers on the patient’s care team to help coordinate medical treatment, which has led to better medication adherence, higher patient satisfaction, and lower healthcare costs. CPESN NY is part of CPESN® USA, a nationwide network of pharmacy providers across America. To learn more, please visit cpesnny.com.

For a PDF of the Press Release, click here.