The health care efforts of West Virginia Rx got a substantial boost Thursday when Appalachian Power Company President Charles Patton presented a check for $50,000.
West Virginia Rx Director Brenda Dane says the money will greatly help the public-private partnership continue its efforts that include helping West Virginians receive the medication they need.
“Funding is starting to drop and changes are happening all over the place,” Dane said. “This will help us stay sustainable and expand our services.”
West Virginia Rx was established in 2008 during the administration of then-Gov. Joe Manchin. It works under the governor’s office and West Virginia Health Right as a fully-licensed pharmacy. The program helped 50,000 state residents last year. Some with medicine they couldn’t afford and others with additional health care guidance.
The four-year-old pharmacy has also helped thousands of senior citizens who are without Medicare Part D or are reaching the Donut Hole coverage gap.
Dane says the donation from Appalachian Power will allow West Virginia Rx to continue to expand its efforts to all populations, by doing a little more public relations work.
“We help people receive medication for free, navigate to find a medical home, help them choose a plan if they are ready for health insurance and actually help people who are leaving the hospital and might not be able to afford the medication they’ve been prescribed,” Dane said.
West Virginia Rx has dispensed $85 million in brand name drugs donated by drug companies.
