Sacramento County is improving healthcare services for its justice-involved population by implementing free over-the-counter medications to patients through the jail commissary. This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing the quality and accessibility of medical care within the correctional system.
The program is designed to empower individuals in custody to manage their basic health needs, allow them access to items normally purchased at a pharmacy, and ensure patients receive timely relief for minor health concerns without waiting for a nurse or doctor visit. Through this initiative, which rolled out in late 2023 and heavily advertised in early 2024, patients now have access to medications for common conditions such as allergies, mild pain, constipation and rashes.
“Having free medications in the commissary empowers patients to take care of their own basic needs and lessens the burden on our healthcare system. It has been a great addition, and the patients appreciate it,” said Tianna Hammock, Department of Health Services Division Manager.
The program is thoughtfully designed with safeguards in place to prevent misuse. High-risk patients, including those in intensive mental health housing, are required to be seen by medical staff before accessing medication, ensuring their unique needs are appropriately addressed.
The introduction of free over-the-counter medications has already had a significant impact on the efficiency of the County correctional health system. Before the program’s launch, an additional 10% of Health Service Requests were submitted by patients, each requiring a nurse visit, medication orders and distribution through pharmacy and nursing staff. By addressing these minor health concerns directly through commissary, the program has dramatically reduced the workload for nurses, allowing them to focus on more critical and complex medical cases. This not only enhances the overall quality of care but also optimizes the use of resources across the system.
This approach aligns closely with the best practices outlined by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC), reflecting Sacramento County’s commitment to meeting and exceeding national standards in correctional healthcare. The program has garnered attention from other counties, which have reached out to learn from Sacramento’s successful implementation process.
Sacramento County Department of Health Services and Adult Correctional Health’s mission is to provide for the health and well-being of every inmate patient in a County jail. To learn more about Sacramento County’s Adult Correctional Health visit their website.
