340B Alternative Methods Project

Peter Georgeopoulos President and CEO

Karen Enright Chief Operating Officer

This year a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant was awarded by the City of New Bedford to build an on-site pharmacy at 874 Purchase Street.

Groundbreaking began in the month of June!

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center is pleased to announce the introduction of a New Pharmacy Program for its Patients…

Many working families struggle to afford prescription medications without the benefit of health insurance. Frequently health care services are not even sought because of the expense. Although it is not frequently noted, the soaring cost of prescription drugs can also affect those with excellent health insurance and prescription drug coverage.

Individuals, particularly the elderly, suffer greatly from rising prescription costs. Some are forced to choose between paying for food or medication. To deal with this situation, many senior citizens take bus trips to Canada to purchase their medications at a deep discount. In New Bedford, the need for affordable health care, including prescription medications, is great -- more than 40% of residents live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Finally, the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has found a way to bring affordable prescription medications to its patients. By participating in a pharmacy program sponsored by the US Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), Office of Pharmacy Affairs, we are able to offer our patients the medicines and vitamins they need in a timely manner, without the hassles of driving long distances or calling in prescription refills.

USDHHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson recently announced the approval of a novel community health center project to help poor and uninsured patients obtain access to pharmacy services and lower-cost prescription drugs. With this project, more Greater New Bedford Community Health Center patients will get the vital medication they need.

In the Alternative Methods Demonstration Project, the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center will be able to stretch scarce resources and buy more of the medications. We have contracted with four Stop and Shop pharmacies to make medications and services more accessible to health center patients. Patients will be able to obtain lower-cost prescriptions from a pharmacy located a short walk or drive from where they live, rather than having to travel greater distances to obtain their medications. Even patients with adequate insurance coverage can benefit from this program.

In collaboration with partnering Stop and Shop pharmacies, we are pleased to offer our patients not only their vitamins and prescription medicines, but the close and confidential relationships you've come to know and trust through the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center.

We are guided in this new program by our mission to “provide programs and services that improve the health of individuals and the entire community." A reputation for excellence in service, access, and convenience are the criteria by which we carefully chose our partners. We think you'll agree.

NOTE: Based on family size and household income, some GNBCHC patients may be eligible for discounted prescription prices under this new program. For more information call the Benefits Department at 508-992-6553.

Greater New Bedford Community Health Center 874 Purchase Street New Bedford, MA 02740

Phone: 508-992-6553
Web Site: Phone: 508-992-6553

Web Site: www.gnbchc.org
GNBCHC Blog: http://gnbchc.gnbchc.org



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