Hill Health Center News Release

For immediate release March 18, 2003

Information: Robert Kilpatrick

503-3276 (w)

245-4533 (h)

rkilpatrick@hillhealthcenter.com

www.hillhealthcenter.com

Ribbon-cutting for New Health Center Pharmacy

The Hill Health Center (HHC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday for its new in-house pharmacy at 428 Columbus Ave., New Haven.

The HHC pharmacy is unique in the New Haven area in its participation in the 340B drug price reduction program, a federal initiative to reduce prescription drug costs for the uninsured. Only community health centers and Native American health clinics are eligible to participate in the 340B program. HHC serves about 5,000 uninsured patients, many of whom cannot afford medications for chronic diseases.

Catherine Sharafanowich, pharmacy director, said one highlight of the pharmacy is a robot that speeds the preparation of prescriptions.

HHC had operated a pharmacy for many years but was forced to close it seven years ago when the start-up of Medicaid Managed Care caused financial cutbacks.

Sharafanowich said that HHC hopes to develop an agreement with the Fair Haven Community Health Center to serve its uninsured patients.

HHC has created a Pharmacy Fund to help those patients who, despite 340B reductions, still cannot afford medications. Donations are being sought from individuals, corporations and foundations. To date, $21,139 has been raised.

Hill Health Center Opens Pharmacy

Guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony today for Hill Health Center's pharmacy get a demonstration of the robot dispensing M&Ms. From left, Richard Burford of the 3M Corporation, JoAnn Walsh, director of the Visiting Nurse Association; Sheila Allen Bell, New Haven Human Services administrator; Gary Spinner, HHC chief operating officer; Katrina Clark, director of the Fair Haven Community Health Center; Giana Livingston, HHC board member and Catherine Sharanafanowich, HHC pharmacy director

Health Center Pharmacy Robot Dispenses Pills

A bottle of pills ends its robot-controlled run on an assembly line from which it is dispensed to the patient