HFF’s pharmacy program is an in-house pharmacy owned and operated by HFF and governed by a pharmacy license that requires a pharmacist to dispense prescription medications to patients. HFF receives its prescription medication from donations of samples by local physicians, pharmaceutical manufactures’ programs, and reduced-cost pharmacies.
The more a person has to pay for a drug, the less likely he or she is to have it filled. That is why HFF asks only a three dollar donation per prescription to cover costs to the program. However, no one is ever turned away or refused medication due to inability to pay.
The pharmacy program is run by a part-time pharmacist and a part-time pharmacy tech, both of whom have extensive experience working with Norman’s medically indigent population and outside organizations to meet the needs of uninsured patients.
HFF’s pharmacy occupies a physical space in the health center building, thus patients can receive both medical and pharmaceutical care in the same building. Patients do not have to wonder where they will fill their prescriptions after their doctor visit, they know where they can go to get prescription medication – at the on-site Health for Friends Pharmacy.
Lacking health insurance is a tremendous barrier to obtaining needed health care. According to a survey conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation, 37% of uninsured people did not fill a prescription because of cost. Almost half (47%) of the uninsured postponed seeking any medical care because of cost. Even after an uninsured person finally decides to seek medical care, that person is often unable to pay for the treatment that his or her doctor prescribes.