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NC MedAssist is holding a Mobile Free Pharmacy Event in partnership with Vidant Beaufort Hospital and Humana in Beaufort County on June 25 from 9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  The event will be held at Beaufort County Community College, and is open to any individual or family needing over-the-counter medications. Such items include cough and cold medicine, vitamins, allergy medication and first aid supplies. Participants must be at least 18 years old to receive medicine. No identification is required.

“We are thrilled that the NC MedAssist Mobile Free Pharmacy is coming back to Beaufort County,” said Jennifer Lewis, community health improvement coordinator at Vidant Beaufort Hospital.  “This event helps vulnerable members of our community gain access to necessary over-the-counter medications and additional resources available in our area.”

All Mobile Free Pharmacy events are being held as a drive-thru 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 their county event. Online ordering will be closed at least two days prior to the event. 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.

“Our North Carolina team is proud to partner with NC MedAssist here in Beaufort County and across the state to bring resources to those in need in our community,” said Humana’s North Carolina Director Patrick Farley. “We hope that having these important over-the-counter supplies on hand will help everyone stay healthy this summer.”

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.

“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,” said Sheila Kidwell, director of foundations and communication at NC MedAssist. “We understand there is a pressing need, especially in the midst of allergy season. Our goal in this partnership with Vidant Beaufort Hospital and Humana is to improve the health of the community, one family at a time.”

The Mobile Free Pharmacy events serve an average of 800 individuals. To ensure the event runs smoothly, 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.