DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – A Dubuque nonprofit and a local pharmacy are teaming up to make sure more people have better access to more medications at no cost.
Crescent Community Health Center Pharmacy is working with St. Vincent de Paul.
They’re collaborating with medication distributor – Dispensary of Hope.
Patients are eligible for this if they are uninsured, have commercial insurance without prescription coverage, have a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, or do not have Medicaid, Medicare, VA, or other government funded insurance.
The pharmacy director says rising costs are impacting 2,500 patients who had to pay out of pocket before this.
“Crescent Community Health has a responsibility for patients in 13 different counties throughout our spread, so there are opportunities for patients in Maquoketa or Manchester,” said pharmacy director Crystal Smith.
“They’re facing the challenge, do I eat, do I pay my utilities, or do I afford my medication,” said Rick Merfeld with St. Vincent de Paul.
This goes live April 15. In this first year, St. Vincent de Paul is covering the subscription fee for Dispensary of Hope. Organizers say they’ll look to grant funding in the future.
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