Interfaith Pharmacy Opens in Shreveport

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In the fall of 1999, four diverse groups, meeting independently, identified a compelling need for prescription drug assistance in Northwest Louisiana. They included the Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, First Presbyterian Church, and the Caddo Community Action Agency. In March of 2000, they began to meet together in hopes of establishing a "free pharmacy."

The group found that a large number of citizens lack the ability to obtain prescription drugs. Approximately 22% of individuals in Northwest Louisiana live below the poverty level, with some census tracts as high as 74%. Lack of adequate drug therapy causes individuals to use the health system in inefficient and costly ways, draining the limited resources available to all citizens.

The name Northwest Louisiana Interfaith Pharmacy was chosen to represent the concept of inclusiveness and broad-based support from the entire faith community. The group began to organize by establishing a board of directors, electing officers, incorporating the organization and obtaining their non-profit status. Board members visited free pharmacies in several other cities and began to meet with area social service organizations and non-profits to ensure services did not duplicate resources available from other sources in the community. HUD Shreveport Field Office staff facilitated the identification of and dialogue with numerous community partners, and suggested use of the Homeless Management Information System used by the local continuum for client referral, eligibility screening and case management. This became a key factor in ensuring broad community collaboration, client-friendly screening and referral, and reduced risk of duplication of services. ServicePoint, an HMIS system developed in the Shreveport area and recognized by HUD, provided customized screens for pharmacy operations and became a key element of the collaborative effort.

Christus Schumpert Medical Center offered the pharmacy a building for its use that was located one block from a city bus stop and within a few blocks of ten social service agencies. Willis Knighton Health System, the Christus Foundation and other generous donors, including private sector, individual, and offerings from area churches contributed time, money, equipment and volunteer labor to modify the building and furnish the pharmacy.

In May of 2003, the Northwest Louisiana Interfaith Pharmacy opened its doors to area residents as a resource for medications. The pharmacy does not dispense narcotics, addictive medications, or those available from other resources in the community. Staffed by volunteer pharmacists, doctors, nurses, social workers, business leaders and other community volunteers, the pharmacy is developing strong support, with over $120,000 in donated medications collected in the two month period prior to opening. Among the first individuals provided service were residents of area homeless shelters not eligible for other prescription benefits. The non-denominational faith-based nonprofit is currently open two days a week, with plans to increase service to four days a week by late summer and implement a program to assist low-income residents to qualify for prescription drug assistance available from pharmaceutical companies. "With faith, all things are possible" one volunteer commented with a smile. This diverse group has knit a nonprofit out of ecumenical cloth to serve a critical community need.