What we do

The Richmond County Pharmacy Assistance Program provides free prescription medications to Richmond County residents who are uninsured and fall at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (chart below). Our program is funded by the NC Department of Rural Health and Community Care and any donations to it. Our program is the answer for those who do not have the means to obtain life-saving medications to treat chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and asthma. ​​​​​

Who we serve

Richmond County's estimated population is 42,724 (Census Bureau, 2022) and comprises a White population of 56% and a Black population of 30%. The remaining 14% of the population are American Indian, Asian, and Two or More Races.  The median age averages around 41.5.  Gender averages to be an equal distribution of males to females. According to Richmond County Social Services, approximately 27,000 people are on Medicaid, around 50% of the population in Richmond County. Due to the failure of Medicaid expansion this year, this number is anticipated to drop dramatically. In Richmond County, 22.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined, approximately 9.7K, live below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 12.8%. According to the U.S. Census (2021), the most significant demographic living in poverty is Black females (19%) and White females (16%).

How we impact

We help by providing pharmacy services and medications to at-risk populations, such as historically marginalized populations and those of lower socioeconomic status who are more vulnerable to chronic disease. The NC Office of Rural Health (ORH) assists underserved communities by funding several programs to improve access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of health care.  Richmond County has been awarded the Medication Assistance Program (MAP) since 2002, which provides access to free and low-cost chronic disease medication through MedAssist, the only statewide non-profit pharmacy in North Carolina. Under the MAP program, our health department pharmacy provides free chronic disease medications for uninsured and low-income individuals in Richmond County. It is our belief and that of MedAssist that no one should ever have to choose between purchasing food or buying their medicine. 

Richmond County communities are empowered to manage chronic disease.

NC MedAssist is a North Carolina non-profit pharmacy that provides FREE prescriptions for chronic conditions and over-the-counter medications to those who are indigent, uninsured, and underinsured. During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, over $70.1 million in prescription and OTC medication were dispensed, touching more than 73,000 individuals and families across the State (NC MedAssist, 2024). During the same fiscal year, Richmond County served 153 patients, with 2,439 FREE prescriptions for a total value of $442,885. 2024 data is not available.

Figure 2

Richmond County MedAssist Mission Impact

Notes. (NC MedAssist, 2024)