Free pharmacy offers hope to Georgia residents as cost of prescription meds skyrockets

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Every time Dr. Samantha Ricks rolls up a metal window, she dispenses hope.

“Some of the people don’t know where to turn. When they come to our door, they don’t know what to do,” Ricks said.

Ricks runs the pharmacy at St. Vincent de Paul Georgia in DeKalb County. The non-profit has a long history of helping those in need all over the state.

During the height of the pandemic, they opened a free drug store.

“We’re trying to eliminate people having to make a choice between filling a prescription, or filling their gas tank, or filling their grocery cart,” St. Vincent executive director Mike Mies said.

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Mies told Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen that in just two years, they have served 3,500 patients, and filled more than 15,000 prescriptions. That’s more than $2 million worth of medicine, all free of charge.

Some patients pick it up, and for others, it is delivered directly to their door across 29 counties.

Ricks said it’s a safety net for the “un” -- or underinsured.

“I would say a lot of them have that sense of despair when they come to us, but we’re able to help and turn that around quickly,” Ricks said.

To learn more about the pharmacy and how to apply for the help it provides, CLICK HERE.

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