340B Program at NorthShore Health Centers Offers

Prescription Drug Discounts of Up to 60 Percent

NorthShore Health Centers recently announced a new program in partnership with healthcare technology company SUNRx that will help provide discounted prescription drugs to low-income patients who may be struggling to afford medications.  

“During tough economic times, it becomes even more difficult for families to afford prescription drugs,” said Janice Wilson, CEO of NorthShore, which provides medical and dental care to patients regardless of their ability to pay. “It is important that we do everything possible to ensure that our patients have access to the medications they need.” 

NorthShore recently partnered with SUNRx to implement a 340B discount program for the health center. Created by the federal government to expand access to affordable medications, 340B programs discount medications up to 60 percent below retail prices through qualified community health centers and hospitals. Despite the need, many community health centers have limited 340B programs, or none at all, due to the program’s complexity. SUNRx’s fully automated solution helps health centers manage 340B programs, reduce paperwork and provide more effective patient care.  

NorthShore will use SUNRx technology to offer prescription discounts through the health center’s in-house pharmacy in Lake Station. Soon, NorthShore will also open a pharmacy at the Scottsdale Health Center in Portage. Having pharmacies with discounted medications at the health center allows patients to save time, money and gas. NorthShore patients can also have prescriptions filled at the Fagan Pharmacies on Highway 6 in South Haven (Valparaiso) and East 37th Avenue in Hobart.  

“Previously, we had a limited drug discount program. But as the number of NorthShore patients grew and the need for affordable medications became more pronounced, we needed a more effective program,” said Wilson. “We will rely on SUNRx to help us ensure that every eligible patient is able to fill a prescription at a price they can afford.”   

NorthShore provides care to 25,000 patients and experiences more than 65,000 patient visits each year. The health center’s patients are not unlike those nationwide who struggle to afford medications. In a recent study by the Kaiser Foundation, more than a quarter of Americans said they have not filled a prescription because of the expense, and nearly one in five said they cut pills in half or skipped doses in an attempt to save money.  

Based in Mount Laurel, N.J., SUNRx, Inc. provides automated solutions for federally qualified health centers and disproportionate share hospitals for the administration of government 340B discount drug pricing programs. Community health centers nationwide rely on SUNRx to manage the complexities and risks associated with administering 340B, including management of sliding fee scales, formularies, reporting, payments, patient enrollment and eligibility, invoicing, inventory, patient drug cards and regulatory compliance, including diversion safeguards. For more information, contact SUNRx at 800-220-340B, or visit www.340Bsimplified.com.

NorthShore Health Centers is a community-based health and education center that provides access to quality, culturally sensitive health and dental care services regardless of ability to pay, in order to promote continuous comprehensive health care in Northwest Indiana. For more information, call (219) 763-8112.

02/24/10

Missouri Pharmacist Magazine Is Going Green

Beginning with the first issue in March, the Missouri Pharmacist, official publication of the Missouri Pharmacy Association (MPA) will be published electronically, according to an article in the Fourth Quarter 2009 edition of the publication.

The decision, pointed out the article, will allow Missouri Pharmacist to “become a more timely, comprehensive and interactive publication.” The electronic issues will be emailed to all MPA members, and made available online immediately in the “members only” section of www.morx.com.

02/24/10

Walgreens Reports Several Executive Changes

Walgreens announced the following executive changes and promotions: Laura K. Merten, currently Walgreens divisional vice president of health law, has been named divisional vice president of compliance, loss prevention and profit sharing. She replaces Chester G. Young, who retired at the end of January after 41 years with the company. Merten also will replace Young as the company’s chief compliance officer while continuing her role as Walgreens privacy officer. 

Merten joined Walgreens as an attorney in the law department in 1988 and was promoted to director of new business development in 2000. She was named the company’s privacy officer in 2002 and promoted to director of Walgreens Health Services legal division in 2004. She was promoted to her current position in 2007. 

Young joined Walgreens in 1968 as a marketing analyst. After several promotions, he was named general auditor in 1988 and became a divisional vice president in 1995. He added the title of chief compliance officer in 1999.         

Replacing Merten as divisional vice president of health law is Bryan A. Schneider, currently Walgreens director of health care contracting and regulatory law. Schneider joined Walgreens in 2000 as a senior attorney in corporate and regulatory law. In 2005, he was promoted to Walgreens Health Services director of government affairs. He was named to his current position in 2008. 

Paul Eddy has joined the company as divisional vice president of pharmacy applications, reporting to chief information officer Tim Theriault. He will support the needs of the company’s pharmacy business and initiatives, including its Intercom Plus pharmacy system. 

Eddy previously was senior vice president and director of technology strategy and governance at PNC Financial Services. He also was senior vice president and business information officer at National City Bank, a part of PNC, from 2004 to 2009.

03/04/10

Illinois Board of Pharmacy

Sudhir Manek, RPh, has been elected chairperson of the Illinois Board of Pharmacy. Robert Anselmo, RPh, was elected vice chairperson of the same board.

02/24/10

Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy

James Spoon, DPh, was elected president of the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy and William Osborn, DPh, was elected vice president.

02/24/10

Kansas State Board of Pharmacy

02/24/10

Michigan Board of Pharmacy

Dhafer Almaklani, RPh, has been appointed a member of the Michigan Board of Pharmacy. That appointment will expire June 30, 2013. 

Pamela Bufe-Wyett has been appointed a public member of the Michigan board. Her appointment will end June 30, 2013. 

Ilene Hartman-Abramson, PhD, has been appointed a public member of the Michigan board. That appointment will expire June 30, 2013. 

Harvey Schmidt, RPh, was elected chairperson of the Michigan board and Suhair Farida, RPh, was elected vice chairperson.

02/24/10

Ohio State Board of Pharmacy

Brian Joyce, RPh, has been appointed a member of the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy. His appointment will end June 29, 2013.

02/24/10