The Rapides Foundation in 2001 created the Cenla Medication Access Program in response to Community Health Assessments showing that among the barriers to healthcare access, the high cost of prescription medications impacted the greatest number of Central Louisiana adults. CMAP offers free or reduced-cost prescriptions to eligible clients. CMAP also provides education on the importance of appropriate medication usage.
While CMAP administers other programs of The Rapides Foundation, its focus on medication access continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the community. Today, CMAP is offered statewide, providing free medications to eligible individuals through its Patient Assistance Program and its Central Fill Pharmacy. In addition, CMAP partners with Rapides Regional Medical Center to provide free or low-cost medications to patients who visit the hospital’s HP Long Outpatient Clinic.
CMAP has helped approximately 20,000 people across Louisiana get the free prescriptions they need to maintain their health. CMAP has approximately 950 active clients, with more than 1,500 physicians referring their patients to the program.
Patient Assistance Program specialists work closely with rural clinics and primary care practices to provide patients’ prescriptions, and CMAP is able to expand its pharmaceutical offerings through its Central Fill Pharmacy and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.