More than 100 South Jersey residents have filled more than 300 prescriptions free of charge at two Dispensary of Hope locations launched by Inspira Health. Accessible within the pharmacy at Inspira Medical Centers Mullica Hill and Vineland, these are the first Dispensary of Hope locations in southern New Jersey and meet a recognized need to make prescription medications available to who don’t have prescription coverage or can’t afford the out-of-pocket expenses. Both locations began enrolling and serving patients in late 2022.
According to Inspira’s 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment for Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland counties, the rising cost of drugs has created a medication access desert for some in the region. The Dispensary of Hope program aims to bridge the health care gap for South Jersey residents who struggle to obtain needed prescription medications. This initiative is one of several ways the health system is addressing the disparities in health outcomes across Inspira’s service area.
“Inspira Health is proud to participate in the Dispensary of Hope program as the first provider in the South Jersey region,” said Edward Dix, Pharm.D., director of Pharmacy at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill. “At Inspira, we are continuously working to provide more accessible, high-quality care to our community, and through this program we have begun to make a significant positive impact on the health and well-being of those who can’t afford to fill their prescriptions.”
Inspira Health physicians can identify patients who qualify for this program and collaborate with Inspira pharmacists to coordinate care. Qualifying patients may include those who have pending Medicaid coverage, traditional Medicare with no supplement, and/or are in between employment and pending health coverage to begin.
The medication provided through this program is donated by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Currently, there are nearly 250 Dispensary of Hope sites within the United States, providing free medications to clinics and pharmacies serving hundreds of thousands of patients.
To learn more about how Inspira is addressing the issue of access to affordable care, visit Inspira Health’s Community Health Needs Assessment page.
