NC Med Assist Supplies Patients With Lifesaving Inhalers & More
Last year, NC MedAssist (NCMA) distributed $64.9 million worth of prescription and over-the-counter medicine to North Carolina residents. NC MedAssist was founded in 1997 and remains the only statewide non-profit pharmacy in North Carolina. Principal® Foundation has awarded NC MedAssist a grant of $100,000. This generous funding supports NC MedAssist’s general operations and will ensure that patients across the state will be able to receive critical medications. More than 75% of NC MedAssist patients receive medication to treat chronic illnesses like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. With the support of the Principal Foundation, NCMA will provide medication access for those most in need.
As North Carolina’s only statewide charitable free pharmacy, thousands of vulnerable, uninsured residents rely on NC MedAssist to provide their prescription medications. With more than 83% of patients living at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level, NCMA eliminates the barrier of cost by providing free medication for its patients. The goal of the organization is to ensure that no eligible NC resident would have to choose between purchasing groceries for their families, and their critical medications.
They offer four programs to improve the health and well-being of children and adults. You might know NC MedAssist from their Free Pharmacy Program for prescription medication, or the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program for over-the-counter medicine. Their over-the-counter store also provides over-the-counter medicine and durable medical supplies. Lastly, they have a Transitional Jobs Program for individuals with barriers to employment.NCMA CEO Brenda Vass said, “We are extremely grateful for the support of Principal Foundation. Specifically, this grant has helped to address NCMA’s critical need for inhalers. We recently ran an Asthma Awareness campaign, stressing the need for assistance purchasing inhalers for our thousands of patients statewide with respiratory conditions. Breathing is not a luxury. It feels great knowing that we can provide inhalers to some of our patients at no charge because of the support from Principal Foundation through the $100,000 grant.”Supporting NCMA by visiting their website, volunteering, or becoming a donor is a nice way of saying, we understand the issues in our community.
