Prescription-Medication-Resources

Prescription drugs can be expensive, and many people don’t have insurance to cover these medications. But cost should not prevent anyone from accessing the medications they need. There are resources available to help.

LRGHealthcare & Local Resources

HealthLink: 934-8909

HealthLink is our community’s front door to healthcare information and resources. While HealthLink does not specifically provide prescription assistance, we do offer healthcare financial counseling, and we can help you determine whether there are any assistance programs for which you may be eligible.

Medication Connection: 527-2860

The Medication Connection program assists patients who have no other sources for help with prescriptions—those who have too much income to qualify for state aid for prescriptions, but not enough to purchase a supplemental prescription plan. We work with patients’ primary care providers to help access special patient medication programs offered through pharmaceutical companies.

Effective June 15, 2015:

Medication Connection has re-located to The Pharmacy Center at the Laconia Clinic. Clients are seen by appointment only, no walk-in’s will be accepted. To make an appointment, please call (603) 527-2860.

Health First Family Care Center Assistance Programs

Health First Family Care Center, with locations in Franklin and Laconia work with with Health First clients to access pharmaceutical company programs, and assists clients with accessing Medicare Part D. They also provide some sample distribution to clients and work with pharmaceutical companies to access samples most needed by patients.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call their offices at 934-1464 or 366-1070.

City, Town or State Assistance

Local counties participate in a program offering discounts on prescriptions not covered by insurance. The Prescription Discount Card Programs are usually free and open to all county residents. For information or to get a card, please call your County Commissioners’ office or your Town or City Clerk’s office.

Some city or town welfare offices may offer limited prescription assistance for those with limited income. Please call your city or town welfare office for more information.

Other Resources:

Medicare—Part D

Medicare Prescription Drug coverage is optional insurance available to anyone with Medicare coverage. There are many plans available, and plan cost varies. These plans make sense for some patients with high medication costs, but may not be helpful for everyone. For more information, please call ServiceLink at 528-6945.

RXOutreach.org

This website primarily provides access to generic drugs for people who meet financial guidelines. People with other insurance may still apply, but everyone who applies needs to send a prescription and must list their income. Visit the site at www.rxoutreach.org.

Wal-Mart Generic Drug Program

Wal-Mart offers consumers a program that provides a number of generic drugs at a cost of $4 per prescription or refill. There are approximately 300 different prescriptions available at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Neighborhood Market pharmacies across the nation. A list of available prescriptions is available at www.walmart.com, or you can ask at any Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club pharmacy.

If you have difficulty accessing any of these resources, and live in the Three Rivers Region, please call ServiceLink of Merrimack at 228-6625. If you live in the Lakes Region, please call ServiceLink of Belknap County at 528-6945 or HealthLink at 934-8909 for help.

Many Medications? Your Safety is in Your Hands!

When we receive medical care, it’s important to let our caregivers know all of the medications we are taking. Our safety depends upon it. But it can be difficult to keep track of multiple prescriptions, and when you factor in over-the-counter medications, herbal products, and vitamins.

Medication Cards are one of the easiest ways to make sure those caring for us have an accurate picture of all the medications we are taking. By carrying this card in your wallet, and keeping it up-to-date each time you add or remove a medication, you can make sure your medication record travels with you and is available to anyone who cares for you.

Free medication cards are available at local provider offices, ServiceLink, Lakes Region General Hospital and Franklin Regional Hospital. Or download your card today.

Do you have expired or unused medication?

You now have a way to safely and regularly dispose of them, Take it the box.

The Laconia, Gilford and Franklin Police Departments now offer permanent medication collection boxes to help you dispose of your expired or unused medication safely. The collection box is accessible 24-hours days/7 days a week, and the best part is it’s FREE!

The following guidelines apply:

  • ONLY pharmaceutical drugs are to be placed in the box (prescription or over-the-counter medications)

  • This voluntary collection/disposal process is FREE and ANONYMOUS

  • NO needles, syringes, or lancets will be collected. If you need to dispose of these items, please contact your local town hall for rules on how to dispose in your community.

  • The collection box is constructed in such a manner and of materials that make it tamper proof.

Did you know? Approximately 70% of those who abuse prescription medications get them from family or friends, often from the medicine cabinet. This permanent medication collection box addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. By taking unused and expired medications out of our community, it significantly reduces the opportunities for misuse and/or abuse.

Protect Groundwater: Flushing medication is NO LONGER recommended. Research shows that certain medications are not thoroughly flushed out during water treatment, and can end up contaminating our groundwater.