community pharmacies

SVdP Pharmacies Help Patients Afford Urgently Needed Medications

SVdP Pharmacies Help Patients Afford Urgently Needed Medications 2560 1707 SVDP USA

“Seeing their renewed hope makes every day worth it.”

Low-income neighbors face difficult choices daily. Some have to decide between necessities like paying rent and feeding their families. Others forego important medications so they can afford that month’s transportation costs or utilities.

Raul, a married father of four, supports his family by working at a pizza restaurant. Unfortunately, his salary isn’t enough for the family to afford health insurance. When his doctor prescribed a new medication that would cost over $20,000 a year, Raul turned to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s North Texas pharmacy for assistance.

Thanks to gifts to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, this charitable pharmacy is one of six across the U.S. providing free and deeply discounted medications so that vulnerable patients can live their healthiest life.

At the Dallas location, Vincentian volunteers and pharmacist Carlos Irula worked to help Raul with documents and other resources he needed to access coverage for his expensive prescriptions. “I was having trouble, but they showed me options and helped me along the way,” Raul said. “They were very patient, and we were able to get qualified.”

Irula says this SVdP pharmacy is busier than ever. “Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve been filling over 400 prescriptions per week. There is definitely a greater need for assistance and medication during these unprecedented times.”

The volunteers, staff, and pharmacists dispense much more than just medicine. They offer peace of mind and a generous dose of hope as each neighbor feels welcomed and cared for.

“Hearing from patients how we’ve made a difference in their lives and their family’s lives — and seeing their renewed hope — makes every day worth it,” adds Irula.

“I cannot imagine what I would have done without the pharmacy’s help,” said Raul. “I can now worry about paying my bills on time and providing more groceries to my family. Everyone working there [is] a blessing and I cannot thank them enough.”

SVdP Georgia Pharmacy

SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy Now Open

SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy Now Open 2048 1367 SVDP USA

One pervasive challenge across the communities served by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is poor health management, often exacerbated by lack of access to prescription medications. Some local Vincentian Conferences and Councils are meeting that challenge by creating community pharmacies to dispense medication to low-income, uninsured patients at little or no charge.

Our newest location, the SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy opened Monday, February 1. It’s a fully licensed charitable pharmacy whose mission is to provide prescription medications and wellness education for low-income individuals by providing prescribed maintenance medications to neighbors in need.

Providing services to the entire state of Georgia, the SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy supports Georgia residents who quality for services and cannot afford maintenance medications for conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular, asthma, COPD, and mental health.

Who’s Eligible?

Once a patient is referred to the community pharmacy, volunteer screeners will check their eligibility, based on income and expenses. The pharmacy will serve eligible patients with an income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and uninsured individuals 18+ living within the State of Georgia; as well as individuals with a valid prescription(s) for the medication needed.

Georgia residents who may qualify can submit an eligibility form here.

Your Donations Can Help

The SVdP Georgia Community Pharmacy will be crucial to a strong network of healthcare agencies, social service non-profits, churches, and public agencies that work together closely to serve needy patients throughout the state.

The pharmacy is currently accepting both financial and in-kind donations. For every $1 donated, the pharmacy is able to dispense $12 worth of medications.

Additional Pharmacy Information

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s community-based charitable pharmacies employ three strategies proven to have a positive impact on health outcomes:

  1. Carrying essential medication via a smart, therapeutically effective formulary, targeted to manage primary-care health conditions.
  2. Dispensing the volume of medication needed to serve all patients.
  3. Providing that medication in a consistent supply, day after day, year after year, for patients who maintain health through medication therapies.

Located in diverse communities across the country, our charitable pharmacies dispense low-cost or free medication to our most vulnerable populations, helping them to lead healthier, more productive lives.

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