Implementation of a patient medication assistance program in a community pharmacy setting.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the establishment of a community pharmacy-based patient medication assistance program to improve access to medications by indigent patients, lessen the burden placed on physicians in obtaining such medications, reduce the amount of money spent on such medications by area charitable organizations, and improve therapeutic outcomes by improving patient adherence with therapy.


METHODS
Supermarket-based pharmacy in Ashland, Ohio.


METHODS
Community pharmacy.


METHODS
A partnership was developed among Buehler's Pharmacy #3, United Way of Ashland County, and United Way Affiliates to establish a community pharmacy-based medication assistance program to help indigent patients obtain needed medications through manufacturer assistance programs and discount card programs.


METHODS
Following initial screening by a United Way affiliate agency, patients are seen by appointment by a Certified Pharmacy Technician at the pharmacy. An electronic application is completed, printed, and sent to the patient's physician for signatures and medication orders. The paperwork is returned to the pharmacy, where it is completed, signed by the patient, and filed. The patient pays the United Way agency $10 and the pharmacy $15 for these services.


METHODS
Number of prescriptions dispensed cumulatively from April 1, 2003, to July 31, 2003, within the program, patients' cumulative savings, and community response.


RESULTS
Between April 1, 2003, and July 31, 2003, a total of 123 patients and 47 physicians were served, and 512 medications valued at $112,139.00 were applied for and/or procured. The time lapse between filing of paperwork and receipt of medications varies from 1 to 6 weeks. While some manufacturers ship product to physicians or directly to patients, the process works better when the product is sent to the pharmacy, where it can be added to the patient's profile, screened for drug interactions and allergies, and dispensed with proper labels and counseling.


CONCLUSIONS
Establishing a community pharmacy-based medication assistance program is an innovative spin on the traditional physician office, advocacy, or health-system setting and was found to be beneficial to the patients, physicians and other health care providers, and the community it served.
Mounts
Verne L
VL
Buehler's Food Markets, Ashland, Ohio, USA. vmounts@buehlers.com
Ringenberg
Daniel G
DG
Rhees
Kim
K
Partridge
Christina
C
D002608:Charities / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D009820:Ohio; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012423:Rural Health / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations