DFW Hospital Council President/CEO W. Stephen Love was one of the presenters on Tuesday during the grand opening of the St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy in Dallas. The establishment is noted for being the first free pharmacy open to the public in Texas.

Additional presenters included Michael Pazzaglini, executive director of the pharmacy, and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

“We are here to provide support and change for our neighbors in need,” said Pazzaglini. “There are over four million people living within the nine-county area served by St. Vincent de Paul of North Texas. You might be surprised that of that number, over 700,000 have no health insurance and live in households with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty line.”

The pharmacy, located at 5750 Pineland Drive off Greenville Avenue near Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, is available to patients following a brief application process and proof of residence in Texas. Clients will then be able to gain access to health-sustaining medications like asthma inhalers, insulin and blood pressure medication. These are available for up to one year at no cost.

Qualifications for service at the pharmacy include no health insurance, family below 200% of the federal poverty line, residency within the service area and one or more valid prescriptions.

“We are blessed with outstanding employees, generous pharmacists, pharmacist technicians and so many others who donate their precious time to make this pharmacy a reality,” Love said.

For information, please call 469-607-0909.