MedAssist of Mecklenburg DBA NC Medassist

NC MedAssist is a nonprofit pharmacy program that provides access to lifesaving prescription medications, over the counter (OTC) medicines, patient support, advocacy, and related services to poor, vulnerable, and uninsured residents across North Carolina. During the reporting year, NC MedAssist advanced its mission through expanded partnerships, improved operational efficiency, and enhanced patient-centered programming aligned with Year 2 of its strategic plan. Within the Free Pharmacy Program, NC MedAssist continued to respond to industry-wide changes as pharmaceutical manufacturers increasingly removed donated brand-name medications from patient assistance programs. As a result, the organization absorbed rising costs to procure generic alternatives, while implementing cost-saving sourcing strategies that generated up to $100,000 in savings and expanded the availability of inhalers and other essential medications on formulary. The enrollment team achieved 100% SHIIP counseling certification, strengthening support for Medicare-eligible patients navigating coverage and cost-saving options.Through the Mobile Free Pharmacy (MFP) and Free OTC Store programs, NC MedAssist distributed more than $7.4 million in OTC medications to low-income individuals and families, serving over 42,000 people statewide. OTC medicines were received through partnerships with organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and numerous corporate and community donors. Research indicates that every $1 in OTC medicine provided prevents approximately $6 in downstream healthcare costs, reinforcing the programs significant cost-avoidance impact. Strategic partnerships also enabled expanded access to womens health screenings, vaccinations, food distribution, and disaster relief services.NC MedAssist strengthened community engagement and patient voice by launching a statewide Community Advisory Committee, hosting its first patient focus group, and implementing language access enhancements to improve medication understanding and adherence. The organization also distributed 2,598 units of Narcan through a pilot program in partnership with Mecklenburg County Alliance Health and other collaborators, addressing urgent public health needs.The Transitional Jobs Program (TJP) continued to provide paid, work-based learning opportunities for individuals facing long-term unemployment or barriers to employment. Participants developed social, business, and customer service skills to support successful workforce reentry. Additionally, NC MedAssists social workers and pharmacy teams provided over 5,600 referrals addressing social drivers of health, including smoking cessation, substance use support, housing instability, and access to care.Through these combined efforts, NC MedAssist dispensed more than $39 million prescription & more than $7 million OTC medications in value to the community and achieved over $100 million in estimated healthcare cost avoidance, while expanding access, improving efficiency, and strengthening community partnerships in alignment with its strategic goals.