title: Charitable pharmacy services: Impact on patient-reported hospital use, medication access, and health status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact that Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio (CPCO), a pharmacy providing free pharmacy services and medications, had on an indigent patient population by determining the change in patient-reported hospital use, ability to access medications, and perception of health status after receiving CPCO services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study with face-to-face interviews using a convenience sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Columbus, OH, in January to March 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  206 English-speaking patients 18 years or older at CPCO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Free pharmacy services and medications provided by CPCO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of patient-reported hospital visits before and after CPCO use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the year before using CPCO, patients reported using the hospital a mean of 2.36 (median, 2.00) times per year versus 1.33 (median, 0.67) times per year after, a decrease of 1.03 hospital visits per year per patient. Before coming to CPCO, 41% of patients were able to have all of their prescribed medications filled; this rose to 85% after using CPCO. A total of 89% of patients reported that not only was their overall health was better, but they also had a better understanding of their medications and believed they were in more control of their own health since receiving CPCO services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A charitable pharmacy model has the potential to decrease health care costs and empower patients to be more in control of their health.
authors.forename: Holly P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Fahey Babeaux
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Seifert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002608:Charities / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016527:Drug Costs; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006304:Health Status; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008489:Medical Indigency; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D010358:Patient Participation; D010465:Perception; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations