Celebrating its 25th year, Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy was founded on Dauphin Street with a group of volunteer pharmacists. Today, the pharmacy provides free pharmaceutical services to over 1,200 people across four counties Alabama and is the only charitable pharmacy in the state.

In addition to providing medication, the pharmacy also provides medication therapy management consultation, fresh produce, nutrition education, transportation and more to its clients, who are largely uninsured and fall at or below 200% of the federal poverty threshold.

Shearie Archer has served as the executive director of Ozanam since 2008. Archer originally got her start in journalism but pivoted to healthcare and worked at the University of South Alabama, Mobile Infirmary and the Bay Area Food Bank (now called Feeding the Gulf Coast) before arriving at Ozanam.

Here, Archer discusses the need for free pharmaceutical services, the rise of pharmacy deserts and how to reduce medication costs.

Questions and answers have been condensed and edited for clarity.