North Coast Charitable Pharmacy
Medicine shouldn't be a luxury.
We're building a charitable pharmacy for Greater Cleveland, where neighbors who can't afford their prescriptions get them at no or low cost, with real pharmacist care behind every fill. Help us open the doors.
Why it matters
In Cleveland, too many people choose between medicine and everything else.
- 30.8%
of Cleveland residents live below the poverty line, more than twice the national rate.
- ~20%
of low-income households recently couldn't pay for at least one needed prescription.
- 2.5×
People with several chronic conditions are about 2.5 times as likely to skip a medication because of cost.
Most of these neighbors have insurance; it just doesn't cover enough. When people skip doses, manageable conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure become ER visits and hospital stays. A charitable pharmacy closes that gap.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023; Gallup and West Health.
What we're building
More than a pharmacy. A medication safety net.
No- and low-cost prescriptions
For Greater Cleveland residents who can't afford them.
Patient assistance programs
We enroll patients in manufacturers' free-medication programs, stretching every dollar further.
Pharmacist medication reviews
Making sure each patient's whole regimen is safe, simple, and working.
Benefits navigation
Connecting eligible patients to Medicaid, Medicare Extra Help, and other coverage.
The road to opening
Here's where we are.
- Done
Incorporated as a 501(c)(3)
Officially a nonprofit, so every gift is tax-deductible.
- In progress
Building our founding team
Recruiting board members, pharmacists, and volunteers.
- In progress
Launch fund
Raising what we need for space, inventory, and licensing.
- Next
Location and licensing
Securing a space and our Ohio Board of Pharmacy license.
- Goal
Open our doors
Filling prescriptions for Greater Cleveland neighbors.
Who's behind it
Chris Verdi, PharmD
Founder and Executive Director
A Cleveland pharmacist with a background in pharmacy and healthcare, Chris founded North Coast Charitable Pharmacy so that no one in Greater Cleveland has to go without the medications they need.
Get involved
We're building this together. Here's where you fit.
Donate
- $25One neighbor, one month. Most patients take 3 to 5 medications each month, and $25 can cover all of them.
- $100A whole household. Keeps an entire family on track with their medications.
- $500Keep the doors open. Covers several patients plus the operating costs that make the pharmacy possible.
North Coast Charitable Pharmacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Partner with us
Health systems, clinics, pharmacies, and community organizations make this possible.
- Donate medications. Surplus or unexpired inventory for our patients.
- Refer patients. Send us people who can't afford their prescriptions once we open.
- Something else. Have an idea? Tell us how you'd like to help.
Volunteer
Pharmacists, technicians, patient intake, outreach, and leadership. If you want to help, there's a role for you.
For future patients
We're not open yet.
Leave your contact info and we'll reach out as soon as we are.
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