Establishing On-Site Pharmacy Access at a Community Health Center

Grantee Name

The Callen-Lorde Community Health Center

Funding Area

Special Projects Fund

Publication Date

January 2013

Grant Amount

$300,000

Grant Date:

May 1, 2009 – April 30, 2010

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Lack of access to pharmacy services is a particular problem for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities and people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to being unable to afford medications, many of these patients feel stigmatized or judged in health care settings.

Numerous studies have found that pharmaceutical access within a multidisciplinary care team improves coordination of care for a patient, increases the patient’s ability to adhere to a prescribed treatment course, and improves health outcomes. In 2007, the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center (CLCHC) found that its membership in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, a Federal program which allows health centers to offer deeply discounted medications to their patients, was being underutilized; only 10-15% of its 44,000 patients were using the designated off-site community retail pharmacy to fill prescriptions.

In May 2009, NYHealth awarded CLCHC a grant to establish an on-site integrated pharmacy to improve health care outcomes and increase medication adherence among the underserved populations reached through CLCHC’s primary care and related services.

Outcomes and Lessons Learned

Achieved sufficient liquidity to channel funds into CLCHC’s general operations;
Filled 29% of all initial and renewal prescriptions written at CLCHC at the on-site pharmacy during 2011;
Received high marks on a patient satisfaction survey of pharmacy staff and services; and
Published challenges and successes of the program in the report, “Establishing On-Site Pharmacy Services in a Community Health Center: A Case Study.”

Read the report associated with this grant, “Establishing On-Site Pharmacy Services in a Community Health Center: A Case Study.”

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