Prescription drugs can be costly and some patients without insurance have trouble finding the cash to follow their doctor's orders and continue on the medications prescribed to them. There are some programs in place, like Faith Pharmacy, to help those without insurance obtain their meds free of charge under certain conditions.

Faith Pharmacy is located at the corner of Seventh Street and Elm Tree Lane in Lexington. They have been providing prescription medications to Central Kentucky's indigent population for 11 years. Open each Saturday from 9am to noon, patients without insurance can get many maintenance medications free of charge. They also strive to help senior citizens during their coverage gap, or "donut hole" of Medicare Part D, during which they must pay for the full cost of medications.

Here's how it works: A patient without any prescription drug coverage provides a valid prescription from a local prescriber (Doctor or Nurse Practitioner), a referral sheet from a social worker (or health clinic worker), and a complete medical history form. Ideally a social worker will have assisted in completing the history form beforehand. Agencies and prescribers should check the online formulary before referring patients to Faith Pharmacy to ensure availability of the prescribed agent. With those things in order, the prescription may then be filled.

Drug selection, however, is somewhat limited. They don't keep any narcotics or other controlled substances in the pharmacy. Nor do they carry prenatal, birth control, or antibiotic medications. They carry maintenance type medications for things like blood pressure, diabetes, depression, epilepsy, and asthma. It is possible in many instances to substitute an alternative when something is prescribed but not on the formulary. Unfortunately, Saturdays are difficult days to reach prescribers. Though, with a little patience and communication, a solution can be reached. Although the pharmacy is only open on Saturdays from 9 to 12, the fax line is always open to receive prescriptions. Patients are asked to arrive early due to the limited time frame.

The pharmacy is staffed by volunteer pharmacists, pharmacy students, and two paid technicians each Saturday. Funding comes from grants and donations. Many local churches, organizations, businesses, and pharmaceutical companies help pay for the drugs and services. Eighty percent of the working budget goes to purchasing drugs from the drug wholesaler.

Faith Pharmacy is a short-term medical assistance program. A patient can have their prescription filled 3 times only (that's one initial fill with 2 refills). While filling the prescriptions, volunteers consult with the patients to help them find assistance programs for continuation of their medications, some of which are provided by the pharmaceutical companies. Pharmacy students from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy counsel patients on management of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

So what are the limitations/needs of Faith Pharmacy? "Money, space, and volunteers", says Dorathea Andrews, a former volunteer scheduler and 10-year volunteer. "Our building is falling apart. We are in an effort right now to try and raise $250,000 in order to renovate the building. It is very old and in dire need of some attention."

Even though many pharmaceutical companies offer indigent programs to assist patients in getting their medications, they can often be difficult to navigate for most. Faith Pharmacy provides a step in the right direction towards patients' continuation of care.

For more information on Faith Pharmacy, visit their website at www.faithpharmacy.com or call (859) 255-1074.