The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas’ charitable pharmacy—the first freestanding facility of its kind in Texas—is noting a major milestone, surpassing the fulfillment of 345,000 prescriptions valued at $100 million. More than 7,770 people have received their medication via the free pharmacy.

The society said 4,008 of those people were served in the past fiscal year alone.

“The $100 million milestone in free prescriptions is a powerful testament to the impact we’re making in the community and displays just how essential our services are,” Luis Gonzalez, CEO of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas, said in a statement. “We’re deeply grateful to our supporters who have helped expand the pharmacy’s reach, and we’re excited about the future as we continue to grow and serve even more individuals in need.”

The pharmacy provides a range of prescriptions but said that Basaglar insulin, used for managing diabetes, has been the most commonly dispensed medication for the past two years.

With National Diabetes Awareness Month approaching in November, that fact reiterates the role the pharmacy plays in supporting those with diabetes, especially considering that an uninsured individual would typically pay around $750 out-of-pocket for a 90-day supply of Basaglar.

The society said that in an effort to bridge the gap and provide access to essential free prescriptions to those uninsured, the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy makes it seamless for those to identify if they qualify. Those who want to receive medications must complete a brief application process and meet four qualifications:

• They must have no health insurance coverage
• Earn a household income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Proof of residence in the state of Texas
• Have a valid prescription

Offering free medications and more

The society said that the based on those qualifications, 1 in 6 Texans would qualify for service and free medications.

“The fact that 1 in 6 Texans would qualify for these lifesaving, but expensive medications is a hard reality, highlighting just how many people in our state struggle to afford the treatment they need to survive,” Carlos Irula, pharmacist-In-charge for the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy, said in a statement. “God has blessed us with an outstanding staff and an amazing mission. Reaching this $100 Million milestone, we’ve learned so much and connected with countless neighbors, and we’re truly grateful to have been able to help solve this healthcare gap by providing free medication to those in need.”

The pharmacy is a part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s broader mission to prevent homelessness and tackle the root causes of poverty affecting many North Texans. Beyond providing free medication, SVdP offers emergency assistance in the form of rent, utility payments, food, and hygiene aid to people in need.

Using personal connections with families, society volunteers work to identify and address the deeper causes of poverty and crisis, helping families improve their situations long-term. SVdP also supports other impactful “systemic change” initiatives such as afterschool education programs for students and low-interest loans aimed at breaking cycles of debt.

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