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Pharmacies alter delivery options to keep people at home

A trip to the pharmacy for essential medication can be dangerous for vulnerable populations.

DENVER, Colorado — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people keep several weeks’ worth of medication in their homes in the event they are required to stay there for an extended period of time.

Insurers like BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, and Aetna are waiving early medication refill limits in an effort to accommodate people preparing for the spread of the novel coronavirus.

However, a trip to the pharmacy to fill prescriptions can be dangerous for the elderly and immunocompromised.

“The elderly, they have diabetes or asthma, or anything that really puts them at risk where if they got this thing, they would be seriously ill, we’re really encouraging them to stay home. Let us bring your meds to you,” Kristin Holmes, owner of Capitol Heights Pharmacy, told 9NEWS.

Holmes and her husband have owned the Congress Park pharmacy for nearly seven years.

Recently, they started offering free deliveries for prescriptions and other items.

Volunteers are helping them serve their community.

“It’s been a great response. We’ve been trying to get the message out for so long that we do extra things here for our community and we want you to be here. We take care of you,” Holmes said.

RELATED: Health care worker: ‘Ludicrous’ to get one mask a shift

Starting Monday, Capitol Heights Pharmacy will run an urgent care clinic inside the store.

Many large pharmacies offered some kind of delivery option prior to the spread of the novel coronavirus but are now lowering cost and increasing availability.

CVS will deliver prescriptions for free through May 1st.

Walgreens is offering free next day delivery.

Safeway customers also received a phone call this week informing them of delivery options.

RELATED: 4 states issue ‘stay at home’ orders, Colorado paying attention

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