Community Health Centers and Local Pharmacies Partner

in Affordable Prescription Program

Residents of Decatur County and surrounding areas have a new source of affordable prescription drug program as a result of a unique partnership between the Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa (CHCSI) and the Behavioral Health Centers of Southern Iowa (BHCSI), the community’s only combined medical and behavioral health practice, and Decatur Family Pharmacy and Varsity Drug.

“Patients of CHCSI and BHCSI can participate in a special discounted prescription program called 340B,” Gary Rees, CEO of the Community Health Centers said. “While Patients are encouraged to use the pharmacy of their choice, discounted prescriptions from this program can only be filled by CHCSI’s partner pharmacies which are Decatur Family Pharmacy in Leon or Varsity Drug in Lamoni,” Rees added.

“Cost savings range from approximately 20%-50% on outpatient drug purchases and average 49 percent below market prices,” Phyllis Miller, pharmacist and owner of Decatur Family Pharmacy said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to make sure that everyone in our community who needs prescription drugs can get them,” she indicated.

The 340B Prescription Drub Program is designed to provide low-cost prescriptions to patients of community health centers across America. Through this government sponsored program, the Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa can purchase prescription drugs at a greatly reduced price and pass the savings on to our patients.

Not all prescription drugs are available through this program. “The Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa and the two pharmacies carefully reviewed CHCSI patient prescriptions so that most of them are included in what is called a formulary. In the rare case when the 340B rate is greater than regular price, the regular price is not changed so that all customers can be assured they are getting the best deal! This formulary will change over time when new drugs need to be added to meet the needs of our patients,” Larry Phillips, pharmacist and owner of Varsity Drug said.

“Patients of the Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa and the Behavioral Health Centers of Southern Iowa can purchase prescription drugs and over the counter drugs accompanied by a written prescription at greatly reduced costs only when written by the Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa physicians,” Rees emphasized.

“The health centers’ indigent drug programs will be continued alongside the 340B program. Patients with very low incomes can still benefit greatly from indigent programs and/or those programs offered by drug manufacturers. In maintaining both programs, CHCSI can help ensure our patients receive the prescription drugs they need,” Dr Patricia Magle, Health Center Medical Director emphasized.