The best health care a clinician can provide is ineffective if patients cannot afford or do not take their medications. Therefore, in 1995, AUCH established the Pharmacy Services Program (PSP) to provide reduced cost medications for patients of member community health centers. Through an agreement with Smith's Food and Drug, community health center patients receive prescriptions from a Smith's Pharmacy in the neighborhood of the health center.

The PSP program is made possible under a federal law (Veteran's Health Care Act of 1992, P.L. 102-585, Sec. 602 and Sec. 340B of the Public Health Services Act) that requires drug manufacturers to provide pharmaceutical products at reduced prices to patients of Federally Qualified Health Centers and other eligible entities. AUCH was the first statewide organization to access pharmaceuticals in this manner and continues to be used as a model for other programs.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures Forum, the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program provides access to reduced price prescription drugs to over 12,404 health care facilities certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as "covered entities". These clinics, centers and hospitals serve more than 10 million people in all 50 states, plus commonwealths and territories.

AUCH Tobacco Cessation Program (AUCH TCP)

The AUCH Tobacco Cessation program is managed by the Pharmacy Services Program.  The vision of the program is to successfully reach out to a population of ethnically diverse, low income patients in the primary care setting at AUCH member community health centers and offer culturally sensitive, affordable, and effective tobacco cessation treatment.

The patients of community health centers in Utah are more likely to smoke and suffer the effects of smoking.  Among underserved populations, the burden of tobacco is substantial. The National Tobacco Prevention Network has established a clear association between poverty and high rates of tobacco use. Smoking is more prevalent among the uninsured than those with insurance.

Not providing cessation counseling is a missed opportunity in underserved patients.   Tobacco counseling, including simple advice to quit, has been shown effective in primary care. Smoking cessation interventions have proven successful among low-income and minority patients, especially when tailored to these populations. Since disadvantaged patients, including 63% of the uninsured, are commonly seen in primary care settings, primary care providers are in a unique position to impact tobacco use in underserved patients.

By ensuring access to proven tobacco-cessation methods, AUCH and the State of Utah can potentially mitigate the impact these populations place on publicly funded entities as a result of smoking-related disease.

For in depth information about how the program works, along with information about all medications covered under AUCH TCP please click HERE.

In addition, here are some helpful tobacco-cessation websites:

For assistance with or questions about the Pharmacy Services Program, contact:

Donna Gibbons
Pharmacy Services Program Coordinator
(801) 716-4609