Tracking the Meds

For six years now, Barbara Licker has been the "queen of medicines" at the AmeriCares Free Clinic of Norwalk.   

Volunteering at the clinic two to three days a week, she is the chief liaison to the pharmaceutical companies, responsible for keeping the inventory of the clinic's medicines, and ordering drugs as they are needed. 

"Every pharmaceutical company has its requirements, we have to get proof of income from our patients, make sure the right medicines are being sent for, ask for refills… there are a lot of details to keep track of.  Fortunately, much of it is automated now, but the pharma companies are always introducing new systems," Barbara notes.

Barbara can't remember how she first heard about the clinics, but she says she "liked the idea of helping the indigent.  They've got so much to face in the U.S.  There are a lot of people who really can't help themselves in this area.  The clinic fulfills some of the need here." 

A Westport resident, Barbara retired from Daimler-Chrysler in 2000, where she had worked as an administrative assistant for 11 years.  These days, when she is not helping out at the clinic, she visits with her three grandchildren.