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A nonprofit pharmacy is seeking solutions to the expensive cost of medicine. HealthQuest in Monroe is focused on helping patients in need of medical help who don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
Medications can be expensive with some prices overwhelming. However, the nonprofit pharmacy offers qualified community members access to free medicine.
Both Timothy Ivey and Judith Williams have experienced life-altering medical experiences.
“I had an open heart surgery and I had a rhythm tear," Ivey said.
"In June of 2014, I contracted bacterial pneumonia.," said Williams, "and because of that, it does some damage to my kidneys and the heart, which caused me to have congestive heart failure.”
Both experiences meant costly medical bills. Williams said going without treatment wasn't an option.
“I still needed the medications in order to live," she said.
HealthQuest removes the financial hurdles that come from medication.
“It was it was like a burden lifted off of me, because now I can go to a facility, purchase my MedCash, and get all of the prescriptions that I need to take care of my health issues," said Williams
All HealthQuests asks for is a $20 administrative fee to cover the overall cost of operation.
Brent Lammers is the executive director of the nonprofit pharmacy. He shared what potential customers need to know.
“To qualify, someone has to be 18 years or older, has to be uninsured, and at 300% of the federal poverty level or lower,” he said.
The pharmacy is now celebrating 25 years of service. It helps patients in Union County, Anson County, and in the surrounding region. Since opening its doors, HealthQuest has made an impact in the area. It's dispensed more than 26,000 free prescriptions valued at more than $6 million.
"On average, our clients are on four medications," said Lammers, "and so we're really saving them several hundred dollars per month in medication costs.”
HealthQuest hopes to keep creating opportunities for help for another 25 years.
“Just continue to create the overall wonderful life or their health and maintain their lifestyle of healthy living,” Lammers said.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.