In 1940 José Navarro, Sr. founded Navarro Discount Pharmacies in Havana, Cuba. The first store was located on Monte Street and had a large client base including the employees of the Power Company. Later a second store opened and together the two pharmacies were considered among the best on the Island, with great selection and low prices.

Following radical political change in Cuba, in 1961 the new government confiscated the Navarro stores along with many other private companies, forcing the family to flee to the United States. Upon arriving in Miami, José Navarro, Sr. cashed an insurance policy and used the $4000 proceeds to open a pharmacy on S.W. 8th Street and 13th Avenue, in what would become the heart of Miami’s Little Havana sector.

The company continued to expand, eventually growing to 31 stores in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Navarro holds a 17% market share in South Florida with annual sales in excess of $320 million, making the company the most profitable performer on a sales-per-square foot basis than any other drug chain in recent years. Further expansion plans are firmly in place with new stores projected to open each year.

In order to fuel expansion, in 2007 Navarro Discount Pharmacies partnered with MBF Healthcare Partners, a private equity firm headed by Mike Fernandez, who commands over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. This partnership has positioned Navarro to expand its presence in the market and achieve its vision of becoming the first choice pharmacy and discount drug chain store for families in each community we serve.

Navarro stores range in size between 9,000 to 32,000 square feet, with the ideal store size now around 20,000 square feet – much larger than the first 2,000 square-foot pharmacy. In addition to a professionally staffed pharmacy and a wide range of goods – from personal care to household products and even electronics – Navarro also facilitates services in categories such as in-store and digital online photo processing, and cell phones from four major service providers.

Navarro’s elegant fragrance counter features an extensive assortment of designer fragrances with up to 70% off suggested retail prices. The cosmetics and beauty aid departments are stocked with the latest products and name brands.

Navarro also carries refrigerated groceries, canned food, beer and a fine selection of wines, making our stores a convenient one-stop-shop for all our customers’ needs.

Navarro is the largest Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain in the United States and is a member of the Chain Drug Consortium (CDC), a national affiliation of regional pharmacies with over 1000 locations in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Membership in the CDC allows Navarro to achieve economies of scale and efficiency in purchasing transactions and negotiations with vendors, with savings passed on to the consumer.

Navarro employs a highly qualified staff of licensed pharmacists and trained assistants. The head of our Pharmacy Division, Albert Garcia, R.Ph., M.H.L., has accumulated a wealth of top level experience in the field and was recently appointed Chairman of the Florida Board of Pharmacy.
Our pharmacy department is supported by an innovative prescription filling system for efficient, reliable and convenient services. Navarro offers round-the-clock telephone and online refill as well as valuable information to help patients understand and manage their medications.

Navarro is proud of its deep roots in the South Florida community and is committed to making it a healthy place to raise families. We reach out to and serve our customers and neighbors through a variety of sponsorships and programs, including health fairs, free in-store screenings, and fundraising for a number of healthcare related causes and charitable organizations.

Navarro currently has over 2000 employees who represent the culturally diverse tapestry of South Florida. Because we understand our communities, Navarro’s product and service offering is tailored for the busy Hispanic family of today that values its heritage and traditions.

Navarro, known for our slogan “Everything You Need for the Health and Wellbeing of Your Family”, promotes its low prices and great selection in weekly bilingual direct mail advertising circulars that reach about 700,000 homes, as well as ongoing radio and television campaigns. Navarro also advertises weekly in The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald, a daily newspaper with circulation of more than 300,000.

Over the last 30 years, Navarro Discount Pharmacy has built a reputation of selling high-quality products at low everyday prices. Now customers can put their trust in Navarro Brand Products. By doing so they are buying products with the same high-quality as their counterpart brand name products and save up to 60%.

Navarro currently carries over 300 private label items throughout the stores, with new items being added every week. The following are just some of the items: