CHARLESTOWN, N.H. – North Star Health Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 22, for its three new in-house pharmacies, including the one at its Charlestown Health Center.
Locals were invited to tour the space and chat with the pharmacy staff. The other two pharmacies are located at the Springfield Health Center in Springfield, Vt., and the Mountain Valley Health Center in Londonderry, Vt.
“Patients coming in will have access to the pharmaceuticals that they need in a timely manner,” said Jessica Everlith, communications and development director at North Star Health.
The pharmacies are full-service and fill prescriptions. They also stock a curated selection of over-the-counter generic medications, which generally are sold for less than name brands of the same medication. This includes generic versions of common medications, such acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, allergy medications, and bismuth subsalicylate. Name brands are also available.
Everlith said having pharmacists in the same building as patients’ care teams makes it easier to coordinate care, and helps to disburse medications to patients quickly. Any profit goes back into the health centers, supporting North Star’s mission.
As a federally qualified health center and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, North Star can take part in the 340B drug pricing program and manufacturer rebate programs. This allows the pharmacies to get medications at a discount and pass the savings on the patients. Staff also help patients find manufacturer coupons, with the goal, Everlith said, of finding “the best way to get them out [having paid] the least amount.”
The savings are already adding up. In August, patients saved $23,292 through uninsured patient assistance and manufacturer copay assistance.
Each location has a pharmacist, a pharmacy technician, and a doctor of pharmacy serving as manager. The pharmacies are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., and close from 1-1:30 p.m. for lunch. They accept self-pay patients and select insurance plans.
Pharmacies are located within the North Star Health facilities. In Springfield, the pharmacy is on the first floor next to the elevator, beside the walk-in clinic and across from physical therapy. In Londonderry, it’s down the hall to the right of the reception desk, past the main entrance.
To learn more, visit www.northstarfqhcpharmacy.org/react-app. Those who want to support this or other projects can send gifts to North Star Health, Attn: Charitable Gifts, 100 River Street, Springfield, VT 05156.