Charitable pharmacy services: Impact on patient-reported hospital use, medication access, and health status

To evaluate the impact that Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio (CPCO), a pharmacy providing free pharmacy services and medications, had on an indigent patient population by determining the change in patient-reported hospital use, ability to access medications, and perception of health status after receiving CPCO services.

Cross-sectional study with face-to-face interviews using a convenience sample.

Columbus, OH, in January to March 2013.

206 English-speaking patients 18 years or older at CPCO.

Free pharmacy services and medications provided by CPCO.

Number of patient-reported hospital visits before and after CPCO use.

In the year before using CPCO, patients reported using the hospital a mean of 2.36 (median, 2.00) times per year versus 1.33 (median, 0.67) times per year after, a decrease of 1.03 hospital visits per year per patient. Before coming to CPCO, 41% of patients were able to have all of their prescribed medications filled; this rose to 85% after using CPCO. A total of 89% of patients reported that not only was their overall health was better, but they also had a better understanding of their medications and believed they were in more control of their own health since receiving CPCO services.

A charitable pharmacy model has the potential to decrease health care costs and empower patients to be more in control of their health.