NC MedAssist is a statewide program that helps uninsured low-income North Carolina residents get the medications that they need, at no cost. The organization has programs for both prescription medications and over the counter medications.
Free Pharmacy Program: Prescription Medications
NC MedAssist provides free prescription medications to uninsured low-income North Carolina residents who are uninsured and fall at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Learn about this program.
Here are a few examples of the annual income level limits for families of different sizes:
- 1 person: $47,880
- 2 people: $64,920
- 3 people: $81,960
- 4 people: $99,000
- 5 people: $116,040
- More info here
There is no cost to apply.
If you qualify, you can get life-saving medications to treat chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma shipped to your home at no cost.
OTC Free Store
The OTC Free Store (formally known as the Gerhart Community Medicine Shoppe) provides over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, medical supplies, and more to North Carolina residents at no cost. There are no eligibility requirements to shop in the store. Simply register and shop!
Shop the store in person during the hours listed below or you can fill out a form to pre-order your medication and select a pick-up time that is convenient for you.
The OTC Free Store is at 4428 Taggart Creek Road, Charlotte, NC. At the time of this update, the store is open:
Tuesday and Thursday
- 9 a.m. to 12:30pm
- 1 to 4 p.m.
Please note: The store closes from 12:30 to 1 pm.
Please check their webpage for any updates to their hours.
Want to help? Learn how to host an OTC Donation Drive!
Mobile Pharmacy Events
If you can’t get to the OTC Free Store, be on the lookout for NC MedAssist’s mobile events, where they bring free over-the-counter medications to communities. Register in advance for the event you plan to attend.
Individuals receive items such as pain relief, cold and cough medicine, allergy, digestive, vitamins, and even children’s medicines. You can preorder your free over-the-counter medicine online in advance and skip the line.
These are some of the upcoming mobile pharmacy events in the Charlotte region. Please check NC MedAssist’s Facebook page for even more.
Follow the links below for the Facebook events. Within each Facebook event there is a form to fill out with what your needs are.
Gaston County OTC Medicine Giveaway and Community Event
Friday, May 8, 2026
9 a.m.
First United Methodist Church of Gastonia
190 E Franklin Blvd, Gastonia, North Carolina
Union County OTC Medicine Giveaway and Community Event
Friday, July 24, 2026
9 a.m.
Atrium Union Women and Children’s Center
600 Hospital Drive, Monroe, North Carolina
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However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
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