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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #256 |
| Neighborly Pharmacy for Seniors |
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| Requester: |
Debra A. Shade |
Organization: |
Neighborly Care Network |
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| Project Title: |
Neighborly Pharmacy for Seniors |
Date Submitted |
1/13/2005 9:56:10 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Fasano |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| There are over 269,598 people aged 60+ in Pinellas County. The 85+ population accounts for 3.4% of the total population and 12.3% of the 60+ population. The 85+ population that experience a 5.2% increase since 2003 is the fastest growing segment of the 60+ population. It has been documented in national studies that it is the desire of almost 100% of elders to live in their own homes and age in place. It is also known that the majority of Medicare recipients have no drug coverage. The Neighborly Pharmacy offers prescription drugs to elders having no insurance coverage. The cost of the prescription to seniors will be the cost of the drug plus a "filling fee" to cover personnel costs and filling supplies. The prescription would be delivered free to the elderly. |
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| Recipient: |
Neighborly Care Network |
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Contact: |
Debra Shade |
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12425 - 28th Street North, Suite 200 |
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Contact Phone: |
(727) 573-9444 |
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St. Petersburg 33716 |
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Contact email: |
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| Counties: |
Pinellas |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Neighborly Pharmacy grew out of a need, which the agency realized first hand by being Pinellas County's premier senior services agency for almost 40 years. The service staff became aware of seniors who could not afford prescription medicine, those who fell between the Medicaid eligibility and Medicare with no supplemental drug coverage. These seniors were choosing between buying food or medication. Some seniors used drug stretching techniques such as taking medications every other day or only one pill a day versus the 3 prescribed which negates the efficacy of the drug. They chose to be independent and live at home at all costs, even their own health.
Neighborly, knowing the mark-up on prescription drugs, came up with a solution to the problem for those having no insurance; open a pharmacy and charge the clients the cost it pays for the drug. |
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| Is this a project related to 2004 hurricane damage? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| 1. Clients will receive drugs at costs lower than conventional drug store prices. Neighborly Pharmacy's charges will be compared to current vendors periodically.
2. Client remains at home and independent versus more costly state funded assisted living and/or nursing home placement. Number of clients who remain at home after passage of time.
3. Neighborly's Pharmacy will be replicated in other areas of the state.
4. Competition may reduce the prices on drugs to uninsured individuals.
5. Reduction in purchasing drugs from Canada where no pharmacist is available to discuss/ review medications. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$300,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$333,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$23,000 |
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In-kind Amount |
$10,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2004-2005 |
Amount: |
$300,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$300,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
AARP , the Florida Coalition for Access to Quality Medicine |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Pinellas County Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
12/09/2004 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
