Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center to Manage Prescription Drug Assistance Program, MetroWest Meds
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center (Kennedy CHC) is pleased to announce that it has assumed the management of MetroWest Meds, a prescription drug assistance program previously managed by the Natick VNA. Funded by MetroWest Health Foundation, the transition occurred on January 1, 2019 with the relocation of MetroWest Meds’ offices to the Kennedy CHC-Framingham site at 354 Waverly Street. The two organizations are aligned in work through their respective mission to improve health outcomes for low-income residents residing in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, including increasing access to health care and prescription medication, respectively. Together, they aim to improve access to prescription medication, compliance with prescribed medical treatment, and knowledge of prescription resources in order to improve health outcomes within the community.
MetroWest Meds works with patients and their providers to complete the application process required by pharmaceutical companies to facilitate access to free or reduced cost brand-name pharmaceuticals. Individuals who are interested in applying are asked to provide a list of current medications, including dosages, as well as proof of income. Services are available to patients of the health center, as well as anyone living in our service area. Since it was created in 2004, MetroWest Meds has served over 5,300 clients and has saved over $7.5 million in prescription drug costs.
MetroWest Meds is designed to help eligible uninsured and under-insured individuals in the MetroWest area, and the assistance is provided free of charge to people of all ages in the service area. Residents in Ashland, Bellingham, Dover, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, and Westborough may qualify for the free services.
Toni McGuire, Kennedy CHC President/CEO, states, “clinicians routinely encounter patients who cannot afford medication; connecting consumers with medication assistance program assists patient compliance with a treatment plan and keeps our communities well. We welcome the synergy between the health center and this program for the MetroWest community.”
