NC MedAssist teams with Humana to provide free over-the-counter medicine in Buncombe County

Press release from NC MedAssist: 

NC MedAssist is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in partnership with Humana in Buncombe County on February 12, 2021, from 9:00am to 2:00pm.  The event will be held at Abernathy United Methodist Church (1418 Patton Ave #1722, Asheville, NC 28806) and is open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications. Such items include cough and cold medicine, vitamins, allergy medication, first aid supplies, etc. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medicine. No identification is required, however face masks are required to participate.

All Mobile Free Pharmacy events are being held as a drive-thru service only. In order to comply with local recommended guidelines, all participants will remain in their vehicles while volunteers retrieve their medicine. Participants are highly encouraged to preorder their over-the-counter medicine online by visitinghttps://medassist.org/mobile/ and selecting their county event. Additional options are available for those individuals unable to preregister online, so that everyone who needs medicine will be able to receive it. However, it is highly suggested to come early in the day if you were not able to pre-order online, as medicine will be given out on a first come, first serve basis, while supplies last.  
“The pandemic is creating significant need in our communities, and our North Carolina team is proud to partner with NC MedAssist to help the people of Buncombe County,” said Humana’s North Carolina Director Patrick Farley. “We want everyone to stay healthy this winter and to have these important over-the-counter supplies on hand.”
At the event, all participants will receive information on NC MedAssist’s Free Pharmacy Program, which mails free prescription medications directly to a patient’s home.  NC MedAssist’s overall goal is to help ease the burden for those in need; it is aiding people who are making the choice between buying food and purchasing life-saving medication.
“Due to the pandemic, we had to create a new and innovative way to continue serving the community. We will be bringing close to $100,000 worth of OTC medicine to the event to be distributed to those most in need in our community,” said Sheila Kidwell, Director of Foundations and Communication at NC MedAssist. “We understand there is a pressing need, especially in the midst of the cold and flu season. Our goal in this partnership with Humana is to improve the health of the community, one family at a time.”
The Mobile Free Pharmacy events have served upwards of 1,000 people, at times. To ensure the event runs smoothly and that all participants are served by the end, many volunteers are needed. NC MedAssist is partnered with safety-net organizations to recruit community members to serve in volunteer roles such as pharmacy consultation, client ‘personal shoppers’, and sorters. However, the charitable organization is still actively seeking volunteers for the Mobile Free Pharmacy Event from the community. Any available individuals can sign up atwww.medassist.org/volunteer. 
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