News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Laura Hollis | NC MedAssist
704-350-3580 (O) | 662.782.8055 (C) | [email protected]
Jennifer Schwartzenberg, The Outer Banks Hospital
252-449-5933 (O) | 917-418-9151 (C) | [email protected]
CHARLOTTE, NC (April 21, 2022) – NC MedAssist is hosting a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event, in partnership with The Outer Banks Hospital, on Friday, May 20, 2022. The event will be held from 10:00am-3:00pm at the College of The Albemarle – Dare, 205 Highway 64 S. Business, Manteo, NC.
This free medicine giveaway is open to any individual or family in need of over-the-counter (OTC) medication items. Products vary and may include cold medicine, vitamins, children’s medicine, allergy medication, first aid supplies, etc. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medicine. No identification is required. There are no income limitations for this program. Everyone is qualified and welcome.
This Mobile Free Pharmacy Event will be held as a drive-thru-only event. Participants will remain in their vehicles while volunteers retrieve their medicine. Participants are encouraged to preorder their OTC medicine online: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6111719/form. Please note, a preorder is NOT required to receive OTC medicines. Participants may show up to the event to receive a prepacked assortment of medicines for their family. All OTC items are given out on a first-come, first serve basis, while supplies last.
In addition to the Mobile Free Pharmacy Event, participants will also be able to dispose of expired/unused medications at a Med Drop location, receive a free medication lock box, participate in a free A1C screenings as well as donate blood through The Blood Connection who will be on site. The Beach Food Pantry will also be distributing food boxes to all participants in need.
At the event, participants 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 by aiding people who are making the choice between buying food and purchasing life-saving medication. No one should ever have to make that decision,” said Laura Hollis, NC MedAssist’s Director of Communications. “Research shows that access to prescription and OTC medications reduce ER visits and hospitalizations. Thus, last year alone created over $132 million in economic benefits to the state of North Carolina.”
After the event, NC MedAssist donates any remaining OTC medication to the hospital for distribution in Dare County. Thanks to NC MedAssist’s donation, The Outer Banks Hospital will host a second Mobile Free Pharmacy Event for the Hatteras Island community on Tuesday, May 24 from 10:00am-Noon at the Fessenden Center, located at 46830 NC-12 in Buxton. A1C screenings and food boxes will also be available at the May 24 event.
Our Mobile Free Pharmacy Events require a large amount of work and volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering on site, please visit https://cerv.is/0332×245 to learn how you can be a part of this remarkable event.
About NC MedAssist:
NC MedAssist is a statewide non-profit pharmacy. In 2022, we are celebrating 25 years of dispensing hope. Our organization provides free prescription medication to all low-income, uninsured North Carolinians who qualify for our Free Pharmacy Program. Our mission is to dispense opportunities through improved health.
We offer three programs that address the needs of children and adults in our state:
- Free Pharmacy Program – for prescription medication
- Over-the-Counter Program – includes our brick and mortar Free OTC Store in Charlotte, as well as the Mobile Free Pharmacy Events, which distribute over-the-counter medicine in communities across the state
- The Transitional Jobs Program – helping individuals with barriers to employment gain hands on experience
NC MedAssist puts on over 60 Mobile Free Pharmacy events each year across North Carolina. These events serve an average of 800 individuals each week and we distribute over $100,000 worth of medicine at each event.
Last year, NC MedAssist distributed over $65 million dollars in of prescription and OTC medicine to NC residents. Learn more about NC MedAssist, our programs, and how we are changing lives at www.medassist.org. Or follow us on social media.
