Founded in 1965, Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy is the oldest free medical
clinic in South Carolina. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the clinic provides
a primary medical care home, as well as medications, for qualifying uninsured adults,
through our full-service, state-licensed pharmacy located within the clinic.
Starting out, the organization was much less equipped and, for a while,
it did not have a physical location. Despite this, through the work from
the volunteers and generosity from the community, they were able to grow over time.
Once the organization was able to acquire a physical location, CVS was changed to,
“The Friendship House”. The clinic continued to grow and offer more services to
their patients.
Medication supply become an issue, and the clinic is unable to purchase enough medications
for patients. To fix this, they ask a pharmacist name Patty Gresko, to set up a
state-licensed pharmacy and Patient Assistance Program (PAP).
The Friendship House receives a $150,000, three year grant, from the Duke Endowment Foundation.
The name is then changed to what it is known as now, “Friendship Medical Clinic and Pharmacy”.
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Community Of Volunteer Services (CVS)
Patients are seen in private offices and outdoor mini-clinics.
Nurses, doctors and other volunteers interview, screen, make referrals and treat Patients.
Prescription services and clinic card referral system are developed.
Budget increases from $5,000 (1969) to $7,500.
Community Volunteer Services (CVS) pays $500-$700 monthly for medications for those Patients not
able to buy their own.
Jerry Llewellyn, CVS director, is offered a 1930s barn, built from rough, unfinished lumber.
Money to move the barn comes from funds provided by United Way and an annual summer flea market
fundraiser.
Myrtle Beach Farms generously provides a lease on an undeveloped lot on Canal Street.
Rainbow's End, a thrift shop, is created so that the communities have an affordable retail
place to shop. The shop's revenue provides for operating funds for clinic.
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The Friendship House
With a physical location, CVS turns into "Friendship House," and acquires a van, used primarily
to transport elderly persons to other agencies assisting the community.
Operating budget increases to $60,000, and nearly 1,000 prescriptions are dispensed.
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A Pharmacy Is Born
Sources for sample medications that doctors receive and dispense at the clinic are drying up
and the clinic finds itself unable to purchase enough medications.
Patty Gresko, a licensed pharmacist, is asked to assist in setting up a state-licensed pharmacy
and a Patient Assistance Program (PAP) that permits clinics to obtain medications for low-income Patients.
At this point, the pharmacy is operating out of a closet, and Patients have to wait outside until
their name is called to see the doctor.
BEighteen years later, Gresko is still the pharmacist-in-charge, operating the pharmacy under her
state license. Her comment when asked why she donates so much time, "I get way more out of it than I give."
Friendship House changes its name to Friendship Medical Clinic & Pharmacy.
Prescription services and clinic card referral system are developed.
Budget increases from $5,000 (1969) to $7,500.
Community Volunteer Services (CVS) pays $500-$700 monthly for medications for those Patients not
able to buy their own.
Jerry Llewellyn, CVS director, is offered a 1930s barn, built from rough, unfinished lumber.
Money to move the barn comes from funds provided by United Way and an annual summer flea market
fundraiser.
Myrtle Beach Farms generously provides a lease on an undeveloped lot on Canal Street.
Rainbow's End, a thrift shop, is created so that the communities have an affordable retail
place to shop. The shop's revenue provides for operating funds for clinic.
