Pharmaceutical Access Program

The Society of St. Vincent DePaul still offers an effort to enable those who need prescription medications but can’t afford them the ability to receive their medicine free from participating pharmaceutical companies. It was discovered that there is a need for this type of service for many people who are in low or fixed income situations.

The program operates from 10am until 2pm in an office of our Main Street headquarters.  We do not have any medications on site; we are here to help clients fill out the many needed forms to apply for medication from various patient assistance programs. The participants will be screened over the telephone to see if they qualify. In general, the drug companies require that the applicants have little or no income and not be covered by any insurance plan or government aid that covers prescription drugs. If they fit this criteria, an appointment will be set up for them to meet with the volunteers to fill out the appropriate forms and they will be told what information they will need to bring with them to begin the process.

The use of an appointment system will allow the various companies’ required forms to be requested and available before the client arrives. Volunteers assist with the necessary paperwork [each company has its own requirements], make sure that the client’s physician completes the forms and mail the application to the pharmaceutical companies. All medications are mailed directly to the individual’s physician. There will be no medications on-site.

This program will only work with an adequate number of dedicated, patience volunteers. Many low-income people with medical needs face tough choices each month as they try to decide to buy medicine or pay their rent. The impact is tremendous because recipients have the ability to pay their other bills and the stress of worrying about paying for medications is eliminated. In addition, there may be other needs made known by the recipients during this process. Needs that our members may be able to assist them with in the true spirit of Vincentian charity.

We are still in need of some additional volunteers; if you are interested in volunteering in this effort, please call our office.  If you know someone who could benefit from this program, let them know and have them give us a call.