La Clinica has opened its first community pharmacy inside La Clinica Phoenix Health Center and will open a second one in January at the La Clinica Wellness Center.
La Clinica can buy prescription medication at federally negotiated low prices, then pass the savings along to patients who don’t have insurance that covers prescription drugs or who face high co-pays.
The first week La Clinica Community Pharmacy was open, a patient came in with a long list of medications she wanted to transfer from another pharmacy, hoping to see discounts.
“When we got through the list, she was crying because now she could afford to pay for all her medication,” pharmacist Karen Smith said. Patients also have mentioned the convenience of having a pharmacy at the same location as where they see their healthcare provider, she said.
The pharmacy is open to community members as well as to patients. Early support from generous Caring for our Community donors helped launch this new service.