HARRISBURG, PA — Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced a dramatic increase in participation for the Cancer Drug Repository Program (CDRP), with the number of pharmacies involved jumping from two to 20 across 12 counties. This surge follows a push by the Department of State in March to expand the program.
“Increasing the number of pharmacies participating in this program means many more Pennsylvanians now have access to safe and affordable cancer drugs,” Schmidt said. “We want to thank the pharmacies that have made the decision to join this program, and we encourage all licensed pharmacies to consider participating, further increasing access to these lifesaving medications.”
The CDRP, established by the General Assembly in 2008, aims to provide cancer drugs and treatment to all Pennsylvanians, regardless of their financial situation. The program allows participating pharmacies to accept cancer drugs donated by other pharmacies, healthcare facilities, drug manufacturers, and wholesale drug distributors. These drugs are then dispensed to qualifying individuals.
In March, the Department’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs reached out to all licensed pharmacies, urging them to join the CDRP. The campaign has clearly paid off, with new participants joining from various counties:
- Palmer Pharmacy, LLC in Russellton, Allegheny County
- Lehighton Pharmacy, Inc. in Lehighton, Carbon County
- Palmerton Pharmacy, Inc. in Palmerton, Carbon County
- The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Berwick, Columbia County
- Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Dauphin County *
- Pechin Pharmacy in Connellsville, Fayette County
- Emmaus Ave. Pharmacy, Inc. in Allentown, Lehigh County
- Macungie Community Pharmacy, Inc. in Macungie, Lehigh County
- Freeland Pharmacy in Freeland, Luzerne County
- Lehigh Care Pharmacy, Inc. in Hazleton, Luzerne County
- Yocum’s Pharmacy, Inc. in Hazleton, Luzerne County
- Luzerne Discount Pharmacy, Inc. in Luzerne, Luzerne County
- Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County
- Effort Pharmacy, Inc. in Effort, Monroe County
- Collegeville Pharmacy, Inc. in Collegeville, Montgomery County
- Hatfield Community Pharmacy, Inc. in Colmar, Montgomery County
- Mt. Bethel Pharmacy Inc. in Mt. Bethel, Northampton County
- Wind Gap Community Pharmacy, Inc. in Wind Gap, Northampton County
- Shop and Carry Pharmacy in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County *
- Dushore Pharmacy in Dushore, Sullivan County
(*Pharmacies participating prior to March 2024)
To donate cancer drugs, a pharmacy, health facility, drug manufacturer, or wholesale distributor must ensure the drugs meet legal requirements. Patients must be diagnosed with cancer, lack or have limited prescription drug coverage for cancer treatment, not qualify for the State Medical Assistance Program, and meet the financial criteria of the CDRP.
Licensed pharmacies interested in joining the CDRP can apply through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). This significant increase in participation is a promising step toward making cancer treatment more accessible and affordable for Pennsylvanians in need.
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