Information for professionals about resources for medication financial assistance

Participation in Outpatient Discount Drug Pricing under Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act

Some community health clinics (CHCs) and other federally qualified health centers currently use 340B federal pricing to obtain brand test strips at prices comparable to generic strips. 340B allows qualified centers with an in-house pharmacy or contracted pharmacy to buy all medications and supplies at a discounted price. 340B discounted medications offer substantial discounts (often 40-60%) and many times even greater. For in-house pharmacies, average prescription prices are about 1/4 of normal retail prices.

Patients must be seen at the CHC and use the CHC pharmacy to obtain the discounts.

If you are a community health center interested in obtaining medications and supplies at discounted prices to sell to patients, you can contact the Bureau of Primary Health Care, Office of Pharmacy Affairs: http://www.hrsa.gov/opa/ This website has information on how to enroll in 340B and about contracted pharmacy services guidelines.

Another useful agency is Medpin (Medicine for People in Need): www.medpin.org. Click on their link for low cost drugs to learn more about 340B. If you are a federally qualified health center with an in-house pharmacy, you may also be eligible for Pfizer's Share-the-Care program which provides all of their medications for free to uninsured patients seen at the center.

You may also want to contact one of the following clinics who have experience with 340B.

Piedmont Health Services - clinics in Carrboro, Prospect Hill, Moncure, and Charles Drew in Burlington
Contact Carl D. Taylor, pharmacy director, at 919-933-8494, ext. 240 (also has experience with Pfizer's Share-the-Care program)

Metrolina Comprehensive Health Center
Contact Sue Goodman, RN, clinical director, at 704-393-7720, ext. 3027

Gaston Family Health Services - a federally recognized rural health clinic
Contact Teresa Morris, at 704-853-5261

University of North Carolina clinics
UNC's pharmacy assistance program is also possible due to UNC's participation with 340B purchasing of medications and supplies. Patients must see a UNC physician and buy their medications and diabetes supplies at the UNC pharmacy. A sliding-scale based on financial need is used to determine co-pays for all medicines and supplies.
Contact the pharmacy assistance program at 919-843-0807 or 919-843-0808.