Cardinal Health Foundation expands Equity Rx to increase access to prescription medications, bringing total investment to $5M
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) has announced a significant expansion of its Equity Rx program with an additional investment, bringing the total commitment to $5 million. The initiative, launched in 2023, aims to increase access to prescription medications for those who cannot afford them.
The expanded program includes the development of Ohio's first statewide prescription drug repository and distribution center, operated by St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. The repository, expected to be fully operational by 2027, will collect, sort, and distribute donated medications at no cost to charitable healthcare networks.
The program has already established operations in 10 charitable clinics across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Illinois, helping thousands of patients access free medications. This expansion addresses a critical healthcare gap, as approximately 29% of people cannot afford to fill their prescriptions.
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) ha annunciato un'importante espansione del suo programma Equity Rx con un investimento aggiuntivo, portando l'impegno totale a 5 milioni di dollari. L'iniziativa, lanciata nel 2023, mira a migliorare l'accesso ai farmaci con prescrizione per chi non può permetterseli.
Il programma ampliato prevede la creazione del primo deposito e centro di distribuzione di farmaci da prescrizione a livello statale in Ohio, gestito dalla St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. Il deposito, che dovrebbe essere pienamente operativo entro il 2027, raccoglierà, selezionerà e distribuirà farmaci donati gratuitamente alle reti sanitarie di beneficenza.
Il programma ha già avviato attività in 10 cliniche di beneficenza in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee e Illinois, aiutando migliaia di pazienti ad accedere a farmaci gratuiti. Questa espansione risponde a una critica lacuna nel settore sanitario, dato che circa il 29% delle persone non può permettersi di acquistare le prescrizioni.
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) ha anunciado una expansión significativa de su programa Equity Rx con una inversión adicional, elevando el compromiso total a 5 millones de dólares. La iniciativa, lanzada en 2023, busca aumentar el acceso a medicamentos recetados para quienes no pueden costearlos.
El programa ampliado incluye el desarrollo del primer depósito y centro de distribución estatal de medicamentos recetados de Ohio, operado por St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. Se espera que el depósito esté completamente operativo para 2027, y se encargará de recolectar, clasificar y distribuir medicamentos donados sin costo a redes sanitarias benéficas.
El programa ya ha establecido operaciones en 10 clínicas benéficas en Ohio, Pensilvania, Tennessee e Illinois, ayudando a miles de pacientes a acceder a medicamentos gratuitos. Esta expansión aborda una brecha crítica en la atención sanitaria, ya que aproximadamente el 29% de las personas no pueden costear sus recetas.
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH)는 Equity Rx 프로그램을 대폭 확장하며 추가 투자를 발표하여 총 투자액을 500만 달러로 늘렸습니다. 2023년에 시작된 이 이니셔티브는 처방약을 감당할 수 없는 사람들의 접근성을 높이는 것을 목표로 합니다.
확장된 프로그램에는 St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy가 운영하는 오하이오 최초의 주 전체 처방약 저장 및 배포 센터 개발이 포함됩니다. 이 저장소는 2027년까지 완전 가동될 예정이며, 기부된 약품을 수집, 분류, 무료로 자선 의료 네트워크에 배포할 것입니다.
이 프로그램은 이미 오하이오, 펜실베이니아, 테네시, 일리노이의 10개 자선 클리닉에서 운영 중이며 수천 명의 환자가 무료 약품을 이용할 수 있도록 돕고 있습니다. 이번 확장은 약 29%의 사람들이 처방약 비용을 감당하지 못하는 심각한 의료 격차를 해소하는 데 기여합니다.
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) a annoncé une expansion significative de son programme Equity Rx avec un investissement supplémentaire, portant l'engagement total à 5 millions de dollars. Lancée en 2023, cette initiative vise à améliorer l'accès aux médicaments sur ordonnance pour les personnes qui ne peuvent pas se les permettre.
Le programme étendu comprend la création du premier dépôt et centre de distribution de médicaments sur ordonnance à l'échelle de l'État de l'Ohio, géré par la St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. Ce dépôt, qui devrait être pleinement opérationnel d'ici 2027, collectera, triera et distribuera gratuitement les médicaments donnés aux réseaux de santé caritatifs.
Le programme a déjà mis en place des opérations dans 10 cliniques caritatives à travers l'Ohio, la Pennsylvanie, le Tennessee et l'Illinois, aidant des milliers de patients à accéder à des médicaments gratuits. Cette expansion répond à une lacune critique en matière de santé, car environ 29 % des personnes ne peuvent pas se permettre de remplir leurs ordonnances.
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH) hat eine bedeutende Erweiterung seines Equity Rx-Programms mit einer zusätzlichen Investition angekündigt, wodurch die Gesamtverpflichtung auf 5 Millionen US-Dollar steigt. Die 2023 gestartete Initiative zielt darauf ab, den Zugang zu verschreibungspflichtigen Medikamenten für Menschen zu verbessern, die sich diese nicht leisten können.
Das erweiterte Programm umfasst den Aufbau von Ohios erstem landesweiten Lager für verschreibungspflichtige Medikamente und Vertriebszentrum, das von der St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy betrieben wird. Das Lager, das bis 2027 voll funktionsfähig sein soll, wird gespendete Medikamente sammeln, sortieren und kostenlos an gemeinnützige Gesundheitsnetzwerke verteilen.
Das Programm ist bereits in 10 gemeinnützigen Kliniken in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee und Illinois aktiv und unterstützt Tausende von Patienten beim Zugang zu kostenlosen Medikamenten. Diese Erweiterung schließt eine kritische Versorgungslücke, da etwa 29 % der Menschen sich ihre Verschreibungen nicht leisten können.
- Total investment increased to $5 million, demonstrating strong commitment to healthcare accessibility
- Program expansion from pilot to 10 charitable clinics across 4 states
- Development of Ohio's first statewide prescription drug repository to efficiently distribute donated medications
- Partnership with National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) enabling multi-state expansion
- Repository facility won't be fully operational until 2027, indicating a lengthy implementation timeline
- Program currently limited to only 4 states despite nationwide medication affordability crisis
Grant funds will also launch the development of
The Foundation's recent grant funds will enable:
- Expansion of the southwest
Ohio pilot project into the northeast and southeast quadrants of the state, as well as in three additional states with the partnership of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC). - Development of
Ohio's first statewide prescription drug repository and distribution center, where donated medications will be sorted, inventoried, catalogued and prepared for distribution at no cost to the CHN network organizations.
Seventy percent of
"Equity Rx ensures patients in need can get their medications when they need them, while also providing access to pharmacists who can counsel them on health issues, medication adherence and more," said Jessie Cannon, President of the Cardinal Health Foundation. "We are proud to expand our investment in Equity Rx, helping to ensure that more patients can live healthy lives."
Building on a successful pilot
In the first phase of the program, CHN established an Equity Rx fund and partnered with St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy to expand medication access to free clinics in southwest
"Everyone should be able to access the medications and care they need," said Jason Koma, executive director of the Charitable Healthcare Network. "There are many barriers that prevent this, but Equity Rx is helping to remove them, providing a real opportunity to revolutionize medication access for patients in
Launching
"Millions of dollars' worth of safe, unexpired medications are wasted each year in nursing homes and long-term care facilities," said Rusty Curington, PharmD and vice president of pharmacy at St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. "Our vision is to create a streamlined, statewide drug repository where anyone can easily donate unused medications. The repository will safely upcycle donated medications and send them to free clinics and charitable pharmacies, which will help expand access to care across
St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy will house the new statewide prescription drug repository, which will be created in partnership with the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy. During the two-year innovation phase, a portion of the new Foundation grant dollars will be used for start-up technologies and operations for the repository. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2027.
"The partnership with Equity Rx came at a time when the Foundation was focused on making a greater, more focused impact that was also aligned to our mission and the communities we serve," said Jessica Mayer, chief legal and compliance officer at Cardinal Health and chair of the Cardinal Health Foundation Board. "Rusty and Jason came to us at the right time because Equity Rx allows us to do both. Supporting this program is a powerful way for us to live Cardinal Health's mission of improving the lives of people every day."
About Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health is a distributor of pharmaceuticals and specialty products; a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products; a supplier of home-health and direct-to-patient products and services; an operator of nuclear pharmacies and manufacturing facilities; and a provider of performance and data solutions. Our company's customer-centric focus drives continuous improvement and leads to innovative solutions that improve people's lives every day. Learn more about Cardinal Health at cardinalhealth.com and in our Newsroom.
Contacts
Media: Michelle Leitzy, michelle.leitzy@cardinalhealth.com, 614.757.1282
Investors: Matt Sims, matt.sims@cardinalhealth.com, 614.553.3661
References:
1 Andrew Gallant, "A growing number of Americans report taking prescription medications daily," Civic Science, January 11, 2023. https://civicscience.com/a-growing-number-of-americans-report-taking-prescription-medications-daily/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20U.S.%20adults,from%
2 Tori March, "Nearly a third of Americans aren't filling their prescriptions because of high costs, April 2, 2025, https://www.goodrx.com/healthcare-access/research/third-of-americans-dont-fill-prescriptions-due-to-cost?srsltid=AfmBOopeXVW-ErDB8kpmWwq6JxxUV8wyF2ycFzJP5AfhRNttxzmjuOrT. Accessed June 23, 2025.
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SOURCE Cardinal Health
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