Callen-Lorde Opens Pharmacy

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, which specializes in the health care needs of LGBT clients and people living with HIV or AIDS in New York City, has opened a pharmacy at its main location in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

According to a news release, the new pharmacy will allow Callen-Lorde to enhance its primary care services and improve the overall patient experience by offering more convenience and affordability.

"Opening our own pharmacy is the next step in our continuing mission to provide quality, affordable health care to the community," said Callen-Lorde executive director Wendy Stark in the news release. "The integration of onsite pharmacy access clinically enhances our comprehensive primary care services as well as offers a more convenient and less expensive option for our patients when filling their prescriptions."

Uninsured patients with incomes under 200% of federal poverty levels will be eligible for additional discounts on prescriptions filled through the new pharmacy, a significant development because given that half of the 14,000 patients seen by Callen-Lorde last year had no health insurance.

Start-up funding for the pharmacy was received from the New York State Health Foundation and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held next Friday morning.