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YesRx, Karmanos and McLaren Partner to Help Michigan Cancer Patients
February 11, 2025
Michigan residents impacted by cancer and the costs of cancer medication now have a new resource to help address the financial burden and the waste of unused cancer medication. Founded as a 501(c)(3) charitable service organization in June 2023, YesRx coordinates and supports Cancer Drug Repository (CDR) Programs that help individuals with cancer get the medication they need for free and donate unused medication to others in need across Michigan.
Thanks to a new partnership with one of the state’s largest cancer care networks, several Karmanos Cancer Network locations, anchored by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, part of McLaren Health Care, have become a large part of the YesRx Network of CDR programs, creating improved cancer medication access for tens of thousands more cancer patients.
Physicians providing cancer care at 13 Karmanos Cancer Institute clinics throughout the state now have access to medications available through the CDR to provide to their patients free of cost. These sites, which are located near a McLaren Health Care hospital and make up a large portion of the Karmanos Cancer Network, also accept donations of unused medications from individuals. Karmanos’ retail pharmacy at the Weisberg Cancer Center in Farmington Hills is now a dispensing pharmacy for the YesRx program. Karmanos Cancer Network locations may request unused medications from YesRx to provide to patients who need those therapies at their clinics.
“We see the burden high-cost cancer medications can have on patients throughout the Network and state. Having a dispensing pharmacy at the Farmington Hills location allows Karmanos and McLaren to provide equitable medication access to our cancer patients,” shared Justin Klamerus, executive vice president and Chief Clinical Officer of McLaren Health Care.
Founded as a 501(c)(3) charitable service organization in June 2023, YesRx coordinates and supports CDR programs that help patients with cancer get the medication they need for free and donate unused medication to patients in need across Michigan. YesRx has built the first-ever and largest statewide membership of health care sites, the YesRx Network, collectively working together to provide the benefits of CDR programming to their patients. The YesRx Network is further strengthened with the participation of Karmanos and McLaren.
Since August 2023, the YesRx Network has prevented over $17 million in cancer medication from being thrown away. Patients, families, and caregivers choose to donate unopened medication they no longer use, and the YesRx Network helps it reach patients in need. So far, over $10 million in cancer medication has been provided by clinicians to patients in Michigan at no cost.
“The Karmanos Cancer Network team and Karmanos pharmacy leadership have been working extensively to bring this partnership with YesRx to Karmanos and McLaren. We’re pleased to be able to offer this program to so many locations throughout our Network,“ remarked Brian Gamble, president of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Cancer Network. “This is an opportunity for Karmanos to continue to provide quality care and assistance to our communities across the state.”
Karmanos serves more than 14,000 new cancer patients a year. With the new partnership, patients, families and caregivers may donate unopened medication they no longer use to the Karmanos pharmacies at the Karmanos Cancer Center (Detroit), Weisberg Cancer Center (Farmington Hills), Karmanos Cancer Institute – Roseville, and the Karmanos Cancer Institute locations at McLaren Bay Region (Bay City), McLaren Clarkston, McLaren Central Michigan (Mount Pleasant), McLaren Flint, McLaren Greater Lansing, McLaren Lapeer, McLaren Macomb (Mount Clemens), McLaren Northern Michigan (Petoskey), McLaren Oakland (Pontiac), and McLaren Thumb Region (Bad Axe).
The YesRx Network is moving health equity and community health forward in Michigan through improved access to free cancer medication and prevention of cancer medication waste harming land and water systems. The 78 health care sites participating in the YesRx Network receive free support to implement CDR programs for their patients. YesRx received startup operations funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan Value Partnerships Program via the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium, Trinity Health Michigan, and the Michigan Society of Hematology Oncology.
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YesRx Support Reaches Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
January 21, 2025
Native Americans have the poorest 5-year survival rate for all cancers, and they experience greater barriers to receiving healthcare, including getting the cancer medications they need. YesRx has received program support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund (Health Fund) to address these inequities in tribal communities located in Michigan.
YesRx, a Michigan charitable service organization, seeks to remove barriers to medication access for vulnerable and underserved people and communities via a statewide cancer drug repository (CDR) network. The Michigan CDR program legislation, approved in 2006, was created to serve all patients in need with access to no cost cancer medication. Additionally, the legislation allowed for cancer medication to be collected from people interested in donating unopened oral cancer prescriptions.
YesRx will partner with the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to co-create cancer medication access and cancer medication waste prevention programming that will provide for the welfare and prosperity of the tribe. “This project supports our commitment to serving our people and efforts to ensure equitable access to healthcare services that fosters connection and solidarity within the community,” remarked Danielle Goudreau, Chief Pharmacist Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Health Pharmacy.
“YesRx is thrilled by the Health Fund’s support of this project. CDR programming has the ability to change lives for the better and create a positive, long-lasting impact in tribal communities,” stated Dr. Emily Mackler, YesRx Chief Medical Officer.
The Health Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. The Health Fund’s Community Health Impact program supports projects that respond to needs and incorporate community members in the design and implementation of health solutions to build stronger, healthier communities throughout the state.
YesRx is mission-driven to serve medical practices, patients, and communities. In August 2023, YesRx launched the YesRx Network to advance health equity and community health through an inter-connected network of healthcare partners caring for patients with cancer. Since then, the YesRx Network has provided more than $10 million dollars in cancer medication to patients in Michigan for free. At the same time, patients and families have donated over $17.5 million dollars in unused cancer medication.
"YesRx’s project is providing important resources to increase access to cancer care for American Indian communities in Michigan,” said Veronica Marchese, Program Officer for Community Health and Capacity Building. “We’re excited by their innovative, culturally sensitive approach, which utilizes storytelling to advance health equity and reduce medication waste.”
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YesRx Collaboration with U-M Health Builds Belonging and Promotes Health Equity
January 16, 2025
The cost of life-saving medication is a barrier to treatment for one out of every two patients with cancer. University of Michigan Health is working in collaboration with YesRx, a Michigan charitable service organization, on a solution to remove this barrier for many of its patients.
The new collaboration will make this solution available to U-M Health clinicians caring for patients with cancer across the state, including those at Rogel Cancer Center, UM Health-Sparrow and UM Health-West. The program, which supports the BASE strategic priorities of Belonging and Experience, will offer providers with streamlined access to essential medications through an integrated Cancer Drug Repository (CDR) program. The program ensures seamless prescription service through U-M Health community pharmacy locations, with no changes to a provider’s workflow.
YesRx was founded in June 2023, to help CDR programs across Michigan reach more patients in need of help. Within one year, cancer medication valued at more than $13 million has been donated by individuals through CDR programs, designed to collect and accept unused cancer medication from people who are interested in donating. This is important because often patients have a medication change and/or stop using a medication and that medication previously would have been thrown away. YesRx exists to eliminate this waste going forward.
“With YesRx, I was able to get a patient with newly diagnosed metastatic lung cancer on the medication they needed within five days, said Angel Qin, M.D. Clinical Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology at the U-M Health Brighton Center for Specialty Care. “They otherwise had a cost-prohibitive co-pay, and no assistance was possible due to alternative insurance. Without YesRx, they would likely have to wait a month before obtaining the drug. This is a much-needed program for our oncology patients that optimizes their care!”
YesRx advances health equity in underserved communities by supporting healthcare partners in a sustainable inter-connected network that improves access to cancer medication and eliminates cancer medication waste. The YesRx Network is a statewide collective consisting of 65 community oncology practices, health systems, and academic medical centers.
“As medications become ever more expensive, and the barriers to accessing them increase, systems like YesRx will provide a lifeline for patients in need of these medications,” said Stan Kent, Chief Pharmacy Officer at University of Michigan Health and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs University of Michigan College of Pharmacy “It is realistic to think these type of systems will extend beyond cancer care to other disease states.”
“YesRx has also given people with unused, expensive medication the satisfaction of donating their supply and knowing it will help other people with cancer,” said Allison Schepers, PharmD, BCOP at Rogel Cancer Center.
Medications can be accessed thru University of Michigan Health Specialty pharmacy medication access services. Donations are welcomed during operating hours at the following sites:
Rogel Cancer Center Ann Arbor Outpatient Pharmacy 1500 E Medical Center Dr, CGC B1-282, Ann Arbor
Brighton Center for Specialty Care Outpatient Pharmacy 1st Floor Challis Rd, Brighton
UMH-Sparrow Herbert Herman Cancer Center Hematology/Oncology Clinic 1140 E Michigan Ave, Unit 200, Lansing
University of Michigan Health West Hematology/Oncology Clinic 5950 Metro Way, Wyoming
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YesRx to Support Michigan Tribal Communities
December 4, 2024
Native Americans have the poorest 5-year survival rate for all cancers, and they experience greater barriers to receiving healthcare, including getting the cancer medications they need. YesRx has received program support from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund (Health Fund) to address these inequities in tribal communities located in Michigan.
YesRx, a Michigan charitable service organization, seeks to remove barriers to medication access for vulnerable and underserved people and communities via a statewide cancer drug repository (CDR) network. The Michigan CDR program legislation, approved in 2006, was created to serve all patients in need with access to no cost cancer medication. Additionally, the legislation allowed for cancer medication to be collected from people interested in donating unopened oral cancer prescriptions.
“YesRx is thrilled by the Health Fund’s support of this project. CDR programming has the ability to change lives for the better and create a positive, long-lasting impact in tribal communities,” stated Dr. Emily Mackler, YesRx Chief Medical Officer.
The Health Fund works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of healthcare, with a special focus on children and seniors. The Health Fund’s Community Health Impact program supports projects that respond to needs and incorporate community members in the design and implementation of health solutions to build stronger, healthier communities throughout the state.
YesRx is mission-driven to serve medical practices, patients, and communities. In August 2023, YesRx launched the YesRx Network to advance health equity and community health through an inter-connected network of healthcare partners caring for patients with cancer. Since then, the YesRx Network has provided more than $10 million dollars in cancer medication to patients in Michigan for free. At the same time, patients and families have donated over $17.5 million dollars in unused cancer medication.
"YesRx’s project is providing important resources to increase access to cancer care for American Indian communities in Michigan,” said Veronica Marchese, Program Officer for Community Health and Capacity Building. “We’re excited by their innovative, culturally sensitive approach, which utilizes storytelling to advance health equity and reduce medication waste.”
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Trinity, BCBSM Sponsor New Nonprofit Helping Patients with Cancer Access Life-Saving Treatment While Reducing Medication Waste
December 18, 2023
YesRx is a charitable service organization working on behalf of patients with cancer to help with medication access and medication waste. YesRx launched their efforts in June 2023 with enthusiastic support from patients, caregivers, and clinicians who navigate the barriers related to expensive cancer medications and the devastating effects.
Two big problems YesRx is helping solve are cancer medication access and waste. Recently published studies captured shocking statistics. Patients with cancer who have pharmacy co-pays that are $500 or more are 4x more likely to not start or continue their cancer treatment than patients who have co-pays of $100 or less. Patients receiving oral cancer medication who have a single prescription change during treatment results in an average of $4,300 worth of medication being wasted.
YesRx supports cancer care providers across Michigan in the utilization of Public Act 416 of 2006 which established the Cancer Drug Repository (CDR) Program. This Michigan law allows patients to donate eligible unused and unopened cancer medication and provides clinicians with access to medication that can be provided to a patient in need. YesRx connects and supports CDRs in Michigan through the YesRx Network. Currently consisting of 14 CDR programs and growing, the Network is designed to reach people and communities across the state. Michiganders have already generously donated cancer medications valued in the millions that clinicians have been able to provide to patients in need at no cost.
The strategic expansion of the YesRx Network resources is occurring with mission-aligned organizations. YesRx has received initial funding through Trinity Health Michigan and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). YesRx is thrilled to have Trinity Health Michigan as the founding health system organization and the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC) and Pharmacists Optimizing Oncology Care Excellence in Michigan (POEM) whose funding is provided by Blue Cross as part of the BCBSM Value Partnerships program as the founding Network sponsor.
“At Trinity Health Michigan, our Core Values include stewardship and a commitment to those experiencing poverty,” said Rosalie Tocco- Bradley, PhD, MD, MHSA, chief clinical officer at Trinity Health Michigan. “That is why we are so delighted to partner with YesRx, so that we can better serve Michigan communities by providing oral cancer medications to patients who otherwise would not have access to affordable, life-saving treatments.” Trinity Health Michigan’s support establishes the infrastructure needed for the first State- wide CDR location at Trinity Health Pharmacy - Reichert Center. Medications donated by patients across the state are safely stored and dispensed to clinicians under strict pharmacy practices and CDR guidelines at this location.
“We joined the YesRx mission to be co-creators in a system for sustaining affordable access to cancer treatment in our state,” Dr. Katie Beekman shared. “This is a much- needed solution that patients, clinicians, cancer care advocates, and policy makers all support because by design it demonstrates the ability to reduce the amount of unused and wasted cancer medications while improving access to treatment for patients in need.” Dr. Beekman’s Trinity Health IHA Hematology Oncology Medical Group is a founding member of the YesRx Network.
The MOQC/POEM support through BCBSM provides funding that enables YesRx to provide the resources needed to support CDRs in oncology practices to YesRx Network members at no cost. Members choose to participate in the YesRx Network because they believe CDRs can positively impact the quality of patient care.
“We are pleased to see the advent of a system in Michigan that helps facilitate improving medication access to those in need while at the same time eliminating medication waste,” said Martha Walsh, MD, MHSA, senior medical director and associate chief medical officer for Provider Engagement at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Through this innovative model, patients and their families are able to donate medications that they may not be able to use. Cancer patients will have enhanced access to medications they need, and increasingly these expensive medications will not be wasted. We applaud the YesRx Network for their efforts.”
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Nonprofit in Michigan Provides Cancer Medication
at No Cost to Patients in Need
September 18, 2023
Ann Arbor, MI – We all know that access to life-saving medication is critical for patients with cancer. Though many could never imagine the challenges that cancer clinicians, including pharmacists, face daily when caring for patients who can’t afford the high-cost prescriptions they need, while other patients who have leftover prescriptions of the same medications have only one option - to throw them away.
Patients and providers in Michigan now have a nonprofit startup tackling these challenges on their behalf. YesRx, a 501(c)(3) organization, is removing barriers to medication access for vulnerable and underserved people and communities. The organization operates the YesRx Network, an interconnected system of healthcare sites and facilities collecting donated cancer medications and providing the donated medications at no cost to patients in need. The YesRx Network launched in July 2023, and already has several members.
Michigan is one of 13 states with a Public Health Code defining the Cancer Drug Repository (CDR) Program that allows donations of eligible cancer medications to be used by another individual who meets the eligibility criteria listed in the Code. In Michigan, this enables residents to donate their own or a family member’s unused cancer medication, which, per the Code, can be provided at little (up to $5) to no cost to a patient in need with the same prescription.
YesRx believes the CDR Program is a viable solution for the high cost of new cancer medications that are reaching an average of $300,000 per year, according to the most recent data on cancer trends. Simultaneously, this solution transforms the use of leftover cancer medication at a time when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is reporting cancer medications valued in the billions are being thrown away each year.
“Cancer care teams work tirelessly to provide optimal experiences for their patients while facing insurmountable challenges,” Dr. Andrew Shuman, a cancer surgeon and medical ethicist remarked. “I am excited by the work YesRx is committed to doing. Increasing cancer medication access by creating a Statewide network will save expensive prescriptions that would otherwise be thrown away and provide them to patients who need these medications.”
YesRx is carrying forward the work of pharmacists who established the first CDR Programs in the State at MyMichigan Health in Midland, Munson Healthcare Regional Cancer Network in Munson, and the Cancer and Hematology Centers in Grand Rapids. These programs took the crucial first steps to explore how medications could be collected and identified the resources required for the donated medication to reach patients in need. Due to the amount of medication collected in an extremely short time, they quickly discovered they needed help to continue. The legacy of their work and the partnership with these pharmacists provides a solid foundation for the YesRx Network to build upon.
The launch of the YesRx Network is supported by the collaborative strength of statewide quality initiatives, including the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC), Michigan Institute for Care Management and Transformation (MICMT) and Pharmacists Optimizing Oncology Care Excellence in Michigan (POEM). MOQC is a physician-led, voluntary effort of medical and gynecologic oncologists working together since 2009 to improve the quality and value of cancer care in Michigan. MICMT partners with primary and specialty care practices in Michigan to improve the quality and experience of patient care with care management programs. POEM integrates clinical oncology pharmacists in direct care to help patients at high-risk have better outcomes. YesRx is honored to offer solutions that directly benefit patients alongside these change makers in cancer care.
YesRx is actively raising funds required to carry out this important work to provide access to cancer medication at no cost by seeking sponsorships from healthcare groups and companies, applying for nonprofit grants, and offering donation opportunities for individuals on the yesrx.org website.
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