NC MedAssist is holding TWO Mobile Free Pharmacy Events in partnership with The Outer Banks Hospital in Dare County.
The first event is scheduled for May 15, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Community Care Clinic of Dare at 425 Health Center Drive in Nags Head.
The second event is scheduled for May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fessenden Center in Buxton.
Both events are open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications. Such items include cough and cold medicine, vitamins, allergy medication, first aid supplies, etc. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medicine. No identification is required.
All Mobile Free Pharmacy events are held as a drive-thru service only. In order to comply with local recommended guidelines, all participants will remain in their vehicles while volunteers retrieve their medicine. Participants are highly encouraged to preorder their over-the-counter medicine online by visiting https://medassist.org/mobile/ and selecting the event of their choice. Online ordering for the events will be closed on May 11th. Additional options are available for those individuals unable to preregister online so that everyone who needs medicine will be able to receive it. However, it is highly suggested to come early in the day if you were not able to pre-order, as medicine will be given out on a first come, first serve basis, while supplies last.
“Due to the pandemic, we had to create a new and innovative way to continue serving the community. We will be bringing close to $100,000 worth of OTC medicine to Dare County, to be distributed to those most in need,” said Sheila Kidwell, Director of Foundations and Communication at NC MedAssist. “We understand there is a pressing need, especially in the midst of allergy season. Our goal in this continued partnership The Outer Banks Hospital is to improve the health of the community, one family at a time.”
The Mobile Free Pharmacy events have served upwards of 1,000 people, at times. To ensure the event runs smoothly, and that all participants are served by the end, volunteers are needed. NC MedAssist is partnered with safety-net organizations to recruit community members to serve in volunteer roles such as pharmacy consultation, client ‘personal shoppers’, and sorters. However, the charitable organization is still actively seeking volunteers for the Mobile Free Pharmacy Event from the community. Any available individuals can sign up at www.medassist.org/volunteer.
At the event, all participants will receive information on NC MedAssist’s Free Pharmacy Program, which mails free prescription medications directly to a patient’s home. “Our overall goal is to help ease the burden for those in need; aiding people who are making the choice between buying food and purchasing life-saving medication,” said Kidwell.
NC MedAssist is the state’s only charitable pharmacy, founded in 1997. The organization provides free prescription medication to all low-income, uninsured North Carolinians who qualify for their Free Pharmacy Program. NC MedAssist offers three programs that address the needs of children and adults: the Free Pharmacy Program (for prescription medication), the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program (for over-the-counter medicine), and the Transitional Jobs Program (for individuals with barriers to employment). Last year, NC MedAssist distributed $78 million worth of prescription and over-the-counter medicine to NC residents across the state. Learn more about NC MedAssist at www.medassist.org. You can also visit their Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact them to find out how you can help.
