Previous Story
PHI Pharmacy to operate as KCHC pharmacy
Standing from left, Terry Aldan, Mako Torres, George Cruz, Dr. Ignacia Demapan, Fernando Camacho, Kagman Community Health Center board chair Velma Palacios, Lennie Hermosilla, and Matthew Gregory. Seated, PHI general manager Joshua Wise, left, and KCHC chief executive officer Vince Castro. (Contributed Photo)
PHI Pharmacy will soon operate as the pharmacy for the Kagman Community Health Center by filling prescriptions for KCHC patients with drugs purchased under the 340B Drug Discount Program.
Under a new agreement it inked with the KCHC board of directors, PHI, or Pacific Health Inc., will be filling prescriptions for KCHC patients with drugs purchased under the 340B Drug Discount Program.
The KCHC board approved and executed the Contract Pharmacy Services Agreement with PHI at its regular board meeting on March 21, 2019.
Established under Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act, the 340B program requires pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in government programs to sell drugs at discounted prices to federally qualified health centers such as KCHC that care for many low-income and uninsured patients in rural communities.
Since 340B is funded by drug company discounts, not federal or state dollars, the program doesn’t cost taxpayers one penny.
The cost savings will enable KCHC to:
• Improve the quality and variety of drugs available
• Lower or eliminate the cost of drugs for low-income and uninsured patients
• Care for more patients
• Provide more services
• Offset losses from providing care without compensation
With the alliance, the 340B discount program will be leveraged to purchase drugs for dispensing using a sliding fee discount for low-income and uninsured patients.
The KCHC board is also considering assisting insured patients with high copays.
There are many stories about how patients can’t afford to buy medications after paying for their doctor’s visit. This is a huge win for the community.
More details will be announced as parts of the program are put in place. Full implementation is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
To make an appointment or to get information, call 256-KCHC (5242). Walk-ins are welcome depending on availability. Patients with appointments are given priority to be seen.
KCHC is a federally qualified health center that serves all patients regardless of inability to pay. Everyone is welcome, even those that reside outside the Kagman area. (PR)
