Non-Profit Hosts High Point Drug Give-Away

Find out where Triad residents can get free over the counter drugs.NC MedAssist is a non-profit pharmacy program that gives free prescription medications to under-insured and uninsured children and adults in our state. Lori Giang is the executive director. “Ninety percent of that medication is donated to us through pharmaceutical patient assistance programs," says Giang. "Then we also purchase generic medications especially when there is no name brand equivalent. We still provide the purchased medication at no cost to our patients.”

In 1997, doctors with the Mecklenburg Medical Society started this non-profit to help senior adults who could not afford necessary prescriptions. It's now expanded into a state-wide resource for patients of all ages. NC MedAssist mails prescription orders to patients. According to Giang, even with the Affordable Care Act in place, thousands in North Carolina who have chronic health conditions are still falling through the cracks. “In NC there are still 350,000 individuals who make too little to get help under the Affordable Care Act," explains Giang. "Without the assistance of medicine, people do choose between purchasing groceries or purchasing insulin. And for a diabetic that's a life-threatening choice.”

In 2012, NC MedAssist began offering free over-the-counter medicines. This week for the first time, the group will hold a drug give-away outside of Mecklenburg County. On Friday, July 25, it will make these drugs available to Triad residents. From 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., it will dispense them in the Family Life Center of First Presbyterian Church on North Main Street. Each person can select up to five medications.

Giang says Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina is supplying most of the medication and the Community Clinic of High Point is also helping with this event. “We'll have some children's medicines, Tylenol, some allergy medicine, and first aid items like Band-Aids as well as creams.” She also says volunteers are needed for this event. If interested, call Emily Mueller at 704-350-3566.