Pharmacy Over-the-Rhine, possibly the first not-for-profit pharmacy nationwide, on Thursday opened in Over-the-Rhine, one of the lowest-income communities in Cincinnati, USA Today reports. The pharmacy -- founded by Chad Worz, director of pharmacy at Skilled Care Pharmacy, and JoAnn Riley, public relations director for the Crossroad Health Center -- is located inside the health center and serves patients who pay cash, as well as those who are enrolled in public health insurance programs or have private coverage. The pharmacy operates with a $150,000 grant from Cincinnati and a $40,000 grant from the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. According to Worz, the pharmacy receives a small profit from the sale of prescription drugs and from reimbursements from public health insurance programs and private health insurers. However, Worz said that the pharmacy will return the profits -- an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 for the first year -- to the health center or the community "to help serve the indigent and provide health education." Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory said, "It's taking a ... novel concept right into the heart of the area that needs the service the most." Douglas Hoey, senior vice president of the National Community Pharmacists Association, said, "There are government ... centers that are taxpayer-subsidized, but, as far as a private entity starting a non-profit pharmacy, I don't know of any others" (Coolidge, USA Today, 1/29).

"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.