Sacramento State students can now take their Health Center prescriptions off campus and still receive their student discount, according to the assistant director of the Student Health Center, Dirk Ruthrauff.

Longs Pharmacy at 400 Howe Ave. has been authorized, by the Health Center, to fill student prescriptions. This option, though little publicized, has been available to students since June of this year.

“This is the first time Sacramento State has utilized the services of an outside pharmacy to assist students in obtaining medication,” Ruthrauff said.

This is not the first time Longs has been approached to take student prescriptions. Ruthrauff said the “idea was explored a few year?s ago.”

“This option was added for students in the event of an unexpected closure of the pharmacy on campus,” Ruthrauff said. For example, the campus pharmacy was closed this summer due to an audit inventory.

The Health Center, which is entirely subsidized by student fees, wanted an option for students in case they could not make the hours of the pharmacy on-campus, which is open Monday through Friday.

Longs pharmacy is open 7 days a week for the student? s convenience.

“Longs is happy to assist Sacramento State in filling students prescriptions,” said Longs pharmacist Ernie Dokimos, “or any other needs they might have.”

The agreement is for this fiscal year and if it is successful will be renewed on a year-to-year basis and is only available at the Howe Avenue Longs.

Ruthrauff warned that there is the possibility of a price difference between the two pharmacies.

Since the pharmacy on campus receives discounted medications due to their non-profit status, students may face higher costs by opting to go to Longs for their medications.

“You pay more for the convenience, but it is an option,” Ruthrauff said.

The Health Center reimburses Longs at a higher rate than if students filled their prescriptions at the pharmacy on campus. If the Health Center begins to lose money, the option may not be renewed, Ruthrauff said.

“The most ideal situation would be to fill it here” Ruthrauff said.