Front page feature story in the Kansas City Star

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11/27/22 – Kansas City Star

Pharmacy of Grace feature on the front page of the Kansas City Star.

‘Unbelievable good price’: KC-area pharmacy dispenses bargain medicine — and hope

Pharmacy of Grace was recently featured on the front page of The Kansas City Star, and we’re still buzzing with pride. The article, penned by Lisa Gutierrez, beautifully captures the heart and mission behind our work here in Kansas City, Kansas.

For those who may have missed it, the piece, titled “‘Unbelievable good price’: KC-area pharmacy dispenses bargain medicine — and hope,” shines a light on 

the critical need for affordable medication access in our community and how Pharmacy of Grace is stepping up to meet that challenge.

The article eloquently tells the story of Ruby, a hardworking individual whose struggle to afford essential diabetes medication perfectly illustrates why Pharmacy of Grace was founded. Inspired by the staggering statistics around unfilled prescriptions and medication non-adherence due to cost – a nationwide issue where up to 30% of prescriptions aren’t filled and 50% aren’t taken correctly – our founder, Jo

hn Yost, envisioned a different kind of pharmacy.

Located in Wyandotte County, where the uninsured rate is significantly higher than the national average, Pharmacy of Grace is committed to providing low-cost medications and vital education to those who need it most. As the article highlights, we’ve already served hundreds of patients, many living well below the poverty line, and have made a tangible difference in their lives by offering medications at prices that truly offer hope. One powerful example shared was a patient receiving $2,000 worth of insulin for just $20!

What makes Pharmacy of Grace unique, as the KC Star so thoughtfully pointed out, is our commitment to personalized care. We take the time to consult with each patient, ensuring they understand their medications, how to take them, and the importance of adherence. With access to in

terpreters for numerous languages, we’re breaking down barriers and building trust within our diverse community.

We’re so thankful to The Kansas City Star for helping us share our story and raise awareness about the crucial need for accessible healthcare in our community. This feature will undoubtedly help us reach more individuals who can benefit from our services.

We remain dedicated to our mission of providing affordable medications and compassionate care to our neighbors. Thank you to our incredible team, our generous supporters, and every patient who inspires us daily. 

If the above link is not working, you can view a pdf version here: 

POG-New KCK pharmacy dispenses bargain medicine and hope _ The Kansas City Star

Diabetes Awareness Month

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 9th, 2022

KCK Nonprofits Team Up for Diabetes Awareness Month Event

 

Kansas City, KS – Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and that number is probably underreported. According to the 2022 Kansas Diabetes Report, black non-Hispanics are twice as likely to have diabetes than white non-Hispanics. The report also found that pre-diabates is a significant health concern in the Hispanic community. Hispanic people are about twice as likely to be pre-diabetic compared to white non-Hispanic. Diabetes rates are also significantly higher for people with an income below $50,000 a year. 

Both Pharmacy of Grace and Mercy and Truth Medical Missions are located near 31st and Minnesota Ave in Kansas City, KS, an area with a significant African-American and Hispanic population. The organizations are teaming up to raise awareness about diabetes, prediabetes, and diabetes prevention to help their patients achieve better health outcomes.

The Diabetes Awareness Event will take place November 15th at 721 N 31 St Kansas City, KS 66102 from 9 am until 12 pm. The event is a collaboration between many community groups with a heart for Wyandotte County health and well-being.

The event corresponds with our normal Food Mobile distribution thanks to the Church of the Resurrection food ministry program Hunger Stoppers. Their mobile food pantry always offers a healthy selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. Well-balanced, healthy meals are a first defense against diabetes and prediabetes. The food mobile is parked out in the parking lot, and other community services will be offered inside our building. 

Mercy & Truth Medical Missions will be offering free A1C diabetes tests and blood pressure screenings on site. Wyandotte Angels will be passing out cold weather items like blankets and coats. The Wyandotte County Public Health Department will be providing information about diabetes and prevention. Heart to Heart International will be there as well with Covid and Flu vaccines, and Pharmacy of Grace staff will be giving flu shots as well as talking to patients about how to sign up for PoG discounted prescription prices. 

Pharmacy of Grace is a new charitable pharmacy focused on helping people afford their medication on an on-going basis, not just as a stop-gap measure. 

New reports have found that the price of medication is rising faster than inflation and as those costs skyrocket, another report found that 1 in 5 Americans with diabetes are rationing their medications. Pharmacy of Grace has private and nonprofit partnerships that can help people access prescription medications at a deep discount and can help patients afford their diabetes medications and live healthier lives. 

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Pharmacy of Grace Backgrounder: 

Pharmacy of Grace is a new 501c(3) nonprofit in Wyandotte County, Kansas, the county with the highest percentage of people living in poverty in the greater Kansas City Metro. The pharmacy’s location near I-635 and Minnesota is an area of tremendous social and healthcare need with 30-40% of residents uninsured. 

Pharmacy of Grace is the only free-standing charitable pharmacy in Kansas, and is focused on helping uninsured or underinsured patients manage their diseases through access and education. This is why it also offers one-on-one counseling to make sure patients fully understand how to take their medications and why they must be taken correctly. Pharmacy of Grace has spanish-speaking staff and a translation service covering 300 different languages. Pharmacy of Grace believes increasing access to life-saving medications can break the cycle of homelessness, poverty, school absentee days, and unemployment caused by unmanaged medical conditions. 

 

Mercy & Truth Medical Missions, KCK Backgrounder: 

Mercy and Truth Medical Missions is a 501c3 founded 26 years ago to assist the uninsured and underinsured receive high quality medical care regardless of their ability to pay. With clinics located in the richest county in Kansas (Johnson) and one of the poorest in Kansas (Wyandotte), the clinics will see nearly 10,000 patients in 2022.

 

Contact: 

Tess Koppelman 

Tess K Communications 

TessKComms@gmail.com

 

Pharmacy of Grace on KC Cares radio

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11/4/22  – KC Cares Radio

Pharmacy of Grace Supports Uninsured and Underinsured in Kansas City

John Yost (co-founder and board chair) talks about how Pharmacy of Grace got its start and how we’re helping our community access life-saving medications.

 

Summary of the conversation:

Pharmacy of Grace, a new non-profit pharmacy in Kansas City, Kansas (KCK), is addressing the critical issue of medication affordability and adherence for the uninsured and underinsured. Founded by John Yost, a former pharmaceutical professional turned pastor, the pharmacy aims to increase access to medications and provide crucial one-on-one counseling to ensure patients understand their prescriptions and how to take them correctly.

National statistics highlight that a significant percentage of prescriptions go unfilled or are taken incorrectly, leading to billions of dollars in preventable healthcare costs. Wyandotte County, with its high poverty rate, faces this challenge acutely. Pharmacy of Grace is the only known free-standing charitable pharmacy in Kansas and partners with organizations like Dispensary of Hope to obtain medications at nominal costs, which are then passed on to patients at affordable prices.

The pharmacy prioritizes creating a welcoming and supportive environment, with bilingual staff and translation services available to break down language barriers. Their primary focus is on uninsured individuals aged 18 to 64, a demographic often lacking access to affordable medication. They also assist the underinsured who face high co-pays.

Beyond dispensing medications, Pharmacy of Grace emphasizes patient education through individual counseling rooms where pharmacists explain medication usage, potential side effects, and the importance of adherence. This personalized approach aims to combat the alarming rates of medication non-adherence.

While currently operating during daytime hours, Pharmacy of Grace is exploring ways to expand accessibility for working individuals as their patient volume grows. They rely on publicity, community outreach, and word-of-mouth to reach those in need. The public can support their mission by using Pharmacy of Grace for their own prescriptions (insured or uninsured) and by volunteering their time. More information can be found at pharmacyofgrace.org.

The biggest lesson learned in establishing the non-profit has been the complexity of managing multiple drug inventories from various donation sources and navigating different pricing structures. Despite these challenges, the reward comes from witnessing patients regain their health and livelihoods thanks to access to affordable medication and proper guidance.