Today, the DC Department of Health (DOH) announced that all HIV/AIDS related medications provided to District residents living with HIV/AIDS under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), will transition to a new pharmacy network.
The current process of administering medications under CARE Pharmacies, Inc., will shift to Human Care Agreements (HCA) between DOH and individual pharmacies throughout the District. Once finalized, the new pharmacy network will have pharmacies located throughout all wards in the city.
During the transition period – from July 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012 – all eligible and enrolled clients will continue to have access to life-saving medications. The transition aims to enhance and expand the services currently provided by initiating a new network of selected pharmacy providers throughout the District.
The DOH procurement team is in the process of inviting all registered pharmacies in the District of Columbia to participate in the new network. The new DOH pharmacy network will be fully operational by September 1, 2012.
The goal of the updated approach towards managing and delivering prescriptions to patients is to provide:
- Improved services to ADAP clients
- Reduced costs associated with purchasing prescriptions for residents with substantial savings to the District
- Expanded access to HIV/AIDS medications for ADAP clients
- Increased coordination between the Department of Health Care Finance (Medicaid) and the Department of Health (HAHSTA/ADAP)
- Improved ability to understand health outcomes and concentrate resources to support those in greatest need
- Improved clinical and administrative oversight of outcomes for ADAP clients
- Resulting in enhanced quality of services delivered to ADAP patients
- Creating more opportunities for staff to better monitor patients to ensure they follow their medication regimens
“The Department of Health has worked diligently with all relevant parties to ensure that this transition is seamless to patients in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program,” said Dr. Mohammad Akhter, Director, DC Department of Health. “We have done our research and look forward to being able to provide patients with increased access to services to allow them a more efficient treatment plan for their specific health needs. No client will lose access to their HIV medications because of this transition.”
As of July 1, 2012, ADAP beneficiaries can fill prescriptions and access medications at one of the following ten (10) pharmacies, which serve as the initial group of pharmacies in the new network:
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Blair Underwood Healthcare Center
2141 K Street NW Suite 606 – RX
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 293-8695
Apex Care Pharmacy
3839 Minnesota Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 388-1900
H Street Care Pharmacy & Wellness Center
812 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 621-9667
Morgan Pharmacy
3001 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 337-4100
Pharmacare @ DC
651 Florida Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: (202) 387-1600
Seat Pleasant Pharmacy
350 Eastern Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 396-3400
Sterling Care Pharmacy
1647 Benning Road NE Suite 101
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 399-7876
Super Pharmacy and Medical Equipment
1019 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 388-0050
Community, a Walgreen’s Pharmacy
1325 14th Street, NW (First Floor)
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 332-881
Walgreens Pharmacy
1217 22nd St NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 776-9084
In addition to improving services and enhancing quality of care, DOH is also working to implement a Mail Order Prescription Program that will allow patients to order their prescriptions through the mail starting FY2013.
New pharmacies will be added to the network on an ongoing basis throughout the transition period. The new District Pharmacy Network will be fully operational on September 1, 2012. For the most up-to-date listing of ADAP pharmacies, please visit ADAP Directory: http://haadirectory.doh.dc.gov
Patients that experience difficulty through the transition process can call DC ADAP (202) 671-4900 for assistance.