Discounted Prescriptions for Metropolitan Patients

Jeff Hertz, Pharmacist

Since it opened in January of 2005, the Health Care Pharmacy at 953 Garfield Avenue has provided discounted prescriptions to thousands of local patients who are eligible to participate in the Federal 340-B Drug Discount Program. This program requires that drug manufacturers provide certain medications to eligible primary care centers at reduced prices.

The 340B price is a “ceiling price,” meaning it is the highest discounted price an eligible individual or family would pay for selected outpatient and over-the-counter medications and the minimum savings a manufacturer must provide. The 340B prices are at least as low as the prices that State Medicaid agencies currently pay.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) like Metropolitan FHN have reported that as a result of the 340B prices, savings for covered outpatient medications range between 25% and 50%. The 340B Drug Pricing Program improves healthcare delivery by using cost savings to:

• Reduce the price of medications for patients
• Increase the number of patients served
• Expand the number of drugs included in stocks
• Expand other services offered to patients by FQHCs.

The Health Care Pharmacy is now open more hours to serve you better: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.