CHARLESTON, SC. — Dottie’s Pharmacy is proud to announce that its Dots-Rx initiative has been approved for Phase 3 funding through the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF), continuing its work to expand access to evidence-based treatment and support for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) across South Carolina.
Now entering Phase 3, Dots-Rx is building on the progress established since the initiative began in October 2024. Through expanded access to Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) medications, provider and patient education, clinical pharmacy services, and individualized support, the initiative is working to remove barriers that can prevent people from starting—and staying engaged in—treatment.
Since Dots-Rx began in October 2024, Dottie’s Pharmacy has worked alongside providers, patients and community partners to increase awareness of and access to Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) medications for OUD. Following progress during the first two phases of funding, Dottie’s successfully applied for this multi- year grant award to build upon and expand this work in a third phase.
Phase 3 introduces new resources and opportunities to strengthen continuity of care, educate current and future pharmacy professionals, reach more rural communities, and bring providers and organizations together around a shared goal: helping more people access the treatment and support they need for recovery.
Learn more about the original Dots-Rx grant and the foundation established in Phase 1, here.
Building on Measurable Progress
The first two phases of Dots-Rx established a foundation for increasing awareness of and access to LAI medications for OUD. Dottie’s Pharmacy has worked alongside providers, patients, and community partners to address two significant barriers to LAI treatment: increase awareness of LAI treatment options, navigate barriers to LAI treatment such as alternate injection site locations, affordability and timely access to therapy.
The initiative has demonstrated continued growth in LAI prescribing, dispensing, provider participation, and decreased patient stigma. Provider education has also remained central to the initiative, helping clinical teams better understand LAIs as an evidence-based treatment option. There has also been a steady increase in PDC rates (proportion of days covered) as a direct result from the clinical consultations and frequent patient touchpoints from the clinical team at Dottie’s Pharmacy.
Dots-Rx by the Numbers
228
Prescribers/Providers
1664
Unduplicated Patients
3563
Total Filled LAI Prescriptions
90.61%
PDC Rate
Metrics reflect results through September 2026, and will be updated as additional program data becomes available.
Expanding Support Throughout the Patient Journey
New in Phase 3: Patient Care Liaison (PCL) Program
Transitions between inpatient and outpatient care can create gaps that make it more difficult for patients to remain engaged in treatment. Phase 3 introduces a dedicated Patient Care Liaison (PCL) to help bridge those gaps and provide patients with an additional point of support throughout their treatment journey.
The PCL will help coordinate follow-up care after discharge from hospitals and treatment centers, assist patients in addressing barriers to medication access, connect them with appropriate resources for medication-related concerns, help identify transportation options when needed, and address other logistical challenges that could interrupt treatment.
The goal is to help patients successfully transition between levels of care and remain connected to their providers, medication, and recovery support.
Educating the Next Generation of Pharmacists
Over the next three years Dots-Rx will work in conjunction with MUSC College of Pharmacy to develop a certificate program and toolkit that supports pharmacist training and adoption of LAI workflows across South Carolina.
The program will provide pharmacy learners with education on LAIs and training in LAI administration, helping prepare future pharmacy professionals to confidently support patients receiving these therapies.
Education is also an important part of addressing stigma. By increasing knowledge and familiarity with OUD and its treatment among emerging healthcare professionals, the program can help foster a more informed, compassionate approach to caring for individuals with substance use disorders while increasing awareness of treatment options that can support medication adherence and recovery.
Reaching More Patients in Rural Communities
Phase 3 will significantly scale patient outreach, with an increased focus on rural and underserved communities across South Carolina.
Our pharmacists travel to alternate injection sites throughout South Carolina, bringing LAI treatment closer to patients in rural and underserved communities. This approach helps reduce transportation and logistical barriers in areas where access to specialty OUD care may be limited.
Education will help patients better understand available treatment options, including the differences between LAIs and oral medications, so they can have informed conversations with their healthcare providers about the treatment approach that may be appropriate for them.
By bringing education and resources closer to communities where access may be limited, Dots-Rx aims to reduce barriers and connect more individuals with evidence-based OUD treatment and support.
Bringing Providers and Communities Together
Addressing substance use disorder requires collaboration. Dots-Rx will continue working with providers, clinical care teams, community organizations, and other stakeholders to increase awareness of available treatment and recovery resources throughout South Carolina.
Phase 3 will include additional provider roundtables across the state, creating opportunities for healthcare professionals to learn about LAI treatment, discuss medication adherence and patient outcomes, share experiences, and identify opportunities to improve access to care.
Dots-Rx will also use its website and LinkedIn presence to share educational information and resources from across the community. By amplifying credible resources and bringing organizations together, we can increase awareness of treatment options, help remove barriers to care, and contribute to reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders.
Helping Address Financial Barriers
Cost should not prevent an eligible patient from accessing needed treatment. Dots-Rx has resources available to support patients who may experience financial barriers to medication access.
Financial assistance is considered through an application process and based on individual need, providing another resource to help eligible patients remain connected to treatment.
Building on the Momentum
Approval for Phase 3 provides Dots-Rx with the opportunity to build upon the progress achieved through its previous phases of SCORF funding while expanding the ways Dottie’s Pharmacy supports patients, providers and communities across South Carolina.
What began with a focus on expanding access to LAI medications continues to evolve through patient support, provider education, pharmacy training, community engagement and coordinated care.
As Dots-Rx enters this next phase, the focus remains on the people and communities this work is intended to serve. By working together across South Carolina, we can increase awareness of evidence-based treatment options, reduce barriers to care, support medication adherence, address stigma and help more individuals remain connected to treatment and recovery.
About the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund
The South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund supports evidence-based strategies addressing the opioid epidemic through funding distributed across South Carolina, including competitive discretionary grants.
