Crescent Community Health Center Acquires Infocus Pharmacy
Crescent Community Health Center (Crescent) is excited to announce the acquisition of Infocus Pharmacy effective January 1, 2023. The timing of this partnership is critical because it allows Crescent patients to have full access to discounted medications in the 340b drug pricing program.
“This acquisition of Infocus Pharmacy is a strategic move that helps us best serve our patients. Without access to affordable medications provided through the 340b program, many of our patients would have nowhere to turn and would suffer immeasurably. All Crescent patients have a choice in where to access their prescriptions – there are many pharmacy options in Dubuque. The outstanding service and patient focus of the Infocus team and the convenience of having Infocus in the same building where they receive their care is a major factor in our patients’ decision on where they want to have their prescriptions filled! Throughout our discussions, Crescent and Infocus have kept the patient as the priority in all decisions.” said Gary Collins, Crescent Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to welcoming and transitioning the entire Infocus team to Crescent.”
“With over 180 years of combined community pharmacy experience that our 15 current employees bring, we will be able to add to Crescent's expertise in the areas of patient assistance, access to life-saving medications and patient safety,” said Joshua Feldmann, Co-Owner and Pharmacist-in-Charge of Infocus. “We here at Infocus Pharmacy are committed to the care teams and the patients they care for. This opportunity will further advance and strengthen the mission of enhancing care in our community to those that are at risk.”
Why is 340b important? Beginning in July 2020, pharmaceutical manufacturers, including Eli Lilly and Astra Zeneca halted delivery of medications to all 340b contract pharmacies. At Crescent we were fortunate to have adequate storage, flexibility, and staff to order supplies for the near future. Crescent providers and Infocus Pharmacy worked together to change regimen when needed, however as time progressed, additional manufactures joined rank and our options and overstock dwindled. Medications with limited access include diabetes medications, breathing medications, blood thinners and many more. Due to the risk of lost medication, critical for our patients, we began to work together with Infocus Pharmacy to transition from a contract pharmacy to an entity owned pharmacy. This partnership will allow Crescent access once again to full offerings of 340b medications. Although this partnership will help, there continues to be ongoing pressure on the 340b program from manufactures and insurers.
The 340B Program enables Crescent patients to access medications they otherwise would not be able to afford. In 2021, our patients accessed 23,410 prescriptions.
The National Association of Community Health Centers conducted a survey to better understand the negative impact on patient outcomes due to the loss of 340B savings. This survey found:
- 92% of respondents utilize 340B savings to increase access for low-income and/or rural patients by maintaining or expanding services in underserved communities.
- 90% of respondents report that their 340B program has led to improved medication adherence, improved clinical outcomes, and improved access to care.
- Health center patients with diabetes, heart disease, and behavioral health needs rely on drugs purchased through the 340B program more than other patient populations.
- 32% of respondents believe that over HALF of their patients would lose access to needed medication without the 340B program discounts.
