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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No V- <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: August 5, 1996 <br /> SUBJECT: A Resolution endorsing a state-wide pharmaceutical assistance program for low <br /> income senior adults. <br /> DEPARTMENT Aging PUBLIC HEARING YES NO X <br /> Adv. Board on Aging BUDGET AMENDMENT YES NO X <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: George Snowden, Chair <br /> 1. Resolution of Endorsement TELEPHONE NUMBER: Jerry Passmore, Dir. <br /> 2. Report on the N.C. Symposium on Hillsborough 732-8181 <br /> Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br /> Mebane 227-2031 <br /> Durham 688-7331 <br /> PURPOSE: <br /> To consider a resolution endorsing the need for a statewide pharmaceutical assistance program for senior <br /> adults, age 60+, who fall within a defined income/expense range and who do not qualify for Medicaid.. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The Orange Advisory Board on Aging established at their Nov. 16, 1995 meeting three 1996 goals, <br /> one being improved medication purchase and proper use for older adults. The Orange County <br /> Department on Aging participated in the first state Symposium on Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs <br /> on June 12, 1996, sponsored by the N.C. Division of Aging and Triangle J Council of Governments. The <br /> results of the symposium were reported and discussed at the Orange County Advisory Board on Aging <br /> meeting on June 27, 1996..Orange County does not have any local pharmacy assistance program nor is <br /> there a state program. <br /> It was revealed that many seniors can not afford to pay for their needed prescription drugs, and the number <br /> of available physicians' samples has drastically declined. Consequently, many people are faced with the <br /> choice of purchasing food or their medication. Choosing the former over the latter may cause people to <br /> develop severe conditions which often result in hospitalizations, or death. This costs the state a great deal <br /> not only in the loss of quality of life, but also in money. The people who are especially victimized by this <br /> Page 1 of 2 <br />