Home

NCHM Partners with Discount Drug Mart on Patient Prescription Medication Program

News Release

CLEVELAND, Ohio - March 4, 2009 -North Coast Health Ministry (NCHM), a free clinic for the low-income uninsured on Cleveland's West Side, has partnered with Discount Drug Mart as the exclusive provider of prescription medications for NCHM patients.  Through the arrangement, patients can purchase medications prescribed by a North Coast Health Ministry physician through a co-payment at any Discount Drug Mart store. 

While NCHM works with its patients to enroll them in prescription assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers through which they can receive free or low-cost medications, there are many drugs not included in the manufacturers' programs.  Often, even for drugs included in the programs, there is a waiting period of a month before a patient can begin receiving free or low-cost medications.  The partnership with Discount Drug Mart will allow patients with a NCHM identification card to access their prescriptions through a $25 co-pay for generic medications or a $50 co-pay for brand-name medications.  

"It's no secret that the high cost of some prescription medications makes them unaffordable for low-income individuals," says NCHM Executive Director Lee E. Elmore.  "Our partnership with Discount Drug Mart allows our patients to access their prescription medications at reasonable co-pay levels.  Eighty-percent of our patients have chronic medical conditions, and going without prescription medication is not a safe option for them.  Our arrangement with Discount Drug Mart helps us manage our agency's medication expense and enables us to continue to assist our patients with access to the medications they so critically need."

Tom McConnell, chief financial officer of Discount Drug Mart, commented, "As a locally owned and operated drug store chain we are honored and proud to partner with such a fine organization as NCHM in their effort to provide for the less fortunate individuals in our community. Having spent my early years in Lakewood and still active in the community, it is especially gratifying to me personally to be able to participate in this program."

About North Coast Health Ministry

Since 1986, North Coast Health Ministry has been providing health care to low-income individuals and families without medical insurance in western Cuyahoga and eastern Lorain counties. A faith-based free clinic located in Lakewood, Ohio, NCHM is a bridge to better health for more than 2,200 patients who have no other route to care.  With the support of approximately 150 volunteer physicians, nurses and other caregivers, NCHM is able to provide primary health care, specialty referrals, prescription assistance, and health education to the medically underserved.

About Discount Drug Mart

Discount Drug Mart, Inc. is an Ohio-based drug store chain that opened its first store in Elyria, Ohio in 1969. Since that time, Drug Mart has established stores in over 20 Ohio counties, and currently operates 67 + stores, including Dayton and Columbus. The company also expects to announce further expansion in 2008.

Low prices, outstanding customer service and broad based product lines are at the heart of Drug Mart's growth and success.  The company slogan says it all: "Discount Drug Mart Saves You the Runaround...We Have Everything You Need."

• Next >