#United States #Dublin, Ohio #Cardinal Health #Prescription Access #Equity Rx

Cardinal Health Foundation Expands Equity Rx Initiative

In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility, Cardinal Health has announced an additional investment of $5 million in its Equity Rx initiative. This program, launched in Ohio, aims to support individuals unable to afford essential prescription medications. The expansion will not only benefit the residents of Ohio but will extend its reach to other states as well.

Background of Equity Rx

Equity Rx was originally established as a pilot project in 2023 through a collaboration between the Cardinal Health Foundation, the Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN), and St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy in Cincinnati. The initiative addresses the critical need for affordable access to medications, particularly for those suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma. Research indicates that a significant portion of the U.S. adult population, approximately 70%, relies on daily prescriptions, yet around 29% have difficulties accessing these medications due to high costs.

Expansion Plans

With this latest funding, the Equity Rx program will advance its pilot project from southwest Ohio into the northeast and southeast quadrants of the state. Additionally, it seeks to make an impact in three other states in collaboration with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC).

Statewide Drug Repository

A critical component of this expansion includes the establishment of Ohio's first statewide prescription drug repository and distribution center. This facility will focus on sorting, cataloging, and delivering donated medications to a network of charitable clinics at no cost. The aim is to reduce waste from unused medications and ensure they are properly utilized to help those in need.

Healthy Impact on Communities

Jessie Cannon, President of the Cardinal Health Foundation, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Equity Rx ensures patients in need can get their medications when they need them, while also providing access to pharmacists who can counsel them on health issues, medication adherence and more."

In the initial phase, several charitable clinics across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Illinois were integrated into the Equality Rx program, making it possible for thousands of patients to access free medications by receiving them during their primary care visits.

Jason Koma, executive director of the CHN, remarked on the program's transformational potential, saying, "Everyone should be able to access the medications and care they need. There are many barriers that prevent this, but Equity Rx is helping to remove them, providing a real opportunity to revolutionize medication access for patients."

The Role of Donated Medications

The repository aims to address the issue of wasted medication, as millions of dollars’ worth of unexpired drugs are discarded annually from nursing homes and care facilities. Rusty Curington, the vice president of pharmacy at St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy, highlighted the repository's transformative goal — to safely reissue these donated medications to free clinics, facilitating better access across Ohio.

With the support of the Foundation, start-up technologies and operations will receive funding in the two-year phase preceding the repository's expected full operational status set for 2027.

A Vision for the Future

Jessica Mayer, chief legal and compliance officer at Cardinal Health, underlined the program's alignment with the Foundation's mission to create a focused and impactful change in healthcare access. The dedication of resources towards the Equity Rx initiative showcases Cardinal Health's ongoing commitment to improving lives daily.

As Cardinal Health continues to pioneer in the healthcare sector, the expansion of Equity Rx represents a crucial effort in ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to the medications they need for healthier lives.

For more information about Cardinal Health and its initiatives, visit cardinalhealth.com.