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NC MedAssist is holding a mobile free pharmacy event in partnership with Vidant Chowan Hospital in Tyrrell County on April 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at Tyrrell Hall, located at 906 US-64 in Columbia, and is open to any individual or family in need of over-the-counter medications. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medicine. No identification is required.

All mobile free pharmacy events will be held as a drive through 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 visiting https://medassist.org/mobile/ and selecting Tyrrell County. Additional options are available for those individuals unable to preregister online so that everyone who needs medicine will be able to receive it (while supplies last).

“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 Vidant Chowan Hospital is to improve the health of the community, one family at a time.”

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 at www.medassist.org/volunteer.

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,” stated a press release.

NC MedAssist is a statewide non-profit pharmacy founded in 1997. The organization provides free prescription medication to low income, uninsured North Carolinians who qualify for their free pharmacy program. NC MedAssist offers three programs that address the needs of children and adults: the Free Pharmacy Program (for prescription medication), the Mobile Free Pharmacy Program (for over-the-counter medicine), and the Transitional Jobs Program (for individuals with barriers to employment). Last year, NC MedAssist distributed $76 million worth of prescription and over-the-counter medicine to NC residents across the state. Learn more at www.medassist.org.

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