Late Summer News at 501 Pharmacy: Campus Health, Vaccine Prep, New Services, & Giving Back
As we ease into the upcoming autumn season, your team at 501 Pharmacy is busy keeping Chapel Hill healthy, prepared, and thriving! From back-to-school essentials to exciting new clinical services and community fundraisers, here is everything happening at the pharmacy right now.
Back-to-School & Campus Health Prep
With UNC Chapel Hill kicking off the new semester, we’re sending a warm welcome to all returning and new Tar Heels! Parents and students heading to the dorms can stop by 501 Pharmacy to stock up on everyday wellness supplies, first-aid essentials, pain relievers, and thermometer kits so you aren’t caught off guard by the campus bug.
Flu Season & Fall Immunizations
Flu season is right around the corner! We expect to receive our shipment of regular and high-dose flu shots within the next few weeks. Once they arrive, no appointment is necessary—walk-ins are always welcome!
While you’re here, make sure your family is up to date on other vital vaccines. We routinely administer:
- Shingles
- Pneumonia
- RSV
- Tetanus boosters (TDAP)
Schedule an appointment for your routine non-flu vaccinations today!
Seasonal Allergy Relief & Interaction Safety
Seasonal allergies got ya? We carry a wide selection of over-the-counter (OTC) oral antihistamines and nasal sprays to help manage your symptoms. Before you grab a box, ask one of our pharmacists to check for potential drug interactions with your current prescriptions—you’d be surprised by how much they know, and we’re always happy to help you choose the safest option!
Skip the Waiting Room: Pharmacist-Prescribed Birth Control Now Available
We are excited to announce that our owner and lead pharmacist, Han Su, PharmD, has completed advanced, state-approved training through the North Carolina Association of Pharmacists (NCAP)!
Under updated North Carolina healthcare laws, Han can now evaluate your health needs, perform a quick health screening (including a blood pressure check), write your prescription, and dispense your birth control—all in one confidential, quick visit to 501 Pharmacy.
- Available Options: Oral contraceptives (the pill) and transdermal contraceptives (the patch).
- Eligibility: Available to patients 18 and older, as well as under 18 with parent/guardian consent.
- How to Book: Appointments are required for consultations.
High-Quality OTC Supplements: Pure Encapsulations & Life Extension
When it comes to daily wellness, quality matters! We are proud to stock a curated selection of over-the-counter vitamins and supplements from Pure Encapsulations and Life Extension—two trusted, premium brands that Han and his own family rely on every day.
Stop in to browse our current shelves! If you don’t see the exact item or formula you are looking for, just let our team know. We can easily place a custom order for the specific supplement you need, and it typically arrives at the pharmacy in just a few days.
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program
501 Pharmacy is proud to participate in the new federal Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program! This program helps eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access covered GLP-1 medications (such as Wegovy) for weight management outside of traditional Part D plans.
Here is what you need to know:
- Affordable Access: For eligible patients, covered medications are available for a $50 flat monthly copay.
- Clinical Eligibility: To qualify, Medicare Part D patients must meet specific clinical criteria determined by CMS based on BMI (such as a BMI of 35+, or a BMI of 27–30+ with qualifying conditions like high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, or heart disease). Note: Patients with Type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea generally receive coverage directly through their standard Part D plan.
- How to Get Started: You do not need to sign up online! The process begins with your doctor, who will submit the necessary prior authorization paperwork.
If you think you might qualify, please reach out to your prescribing physician to discuss your eligibility. Once your doctor submits the request, our 501 Pharmacy team will work alongside them to help process your prescription!
Swim Across America: Support Kai & Kasen
Han’s sons, Kai and Kasen, are swimming with NCAC once again on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, to raise money with Swim Across America for UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
We are so proud of their dedication to cancer research! We have a donation container at the pharmacy checkout counter, so please consider dropping in a contribution next time you pick up a prescription, or tap below to give online.
WakeMed Mothers’ Milk Bank Success
Did you know that 501 Pharmacy is a partner with WakeMed Mothers’ Milk Bank? This great partnership allows us to offer donor milk for newborns as prescribed by physicians, and it has really taken off! Thanks to our amazing community, we are dispensing a significant amount of safe, pasteurized donor milk to families in need.
Newborns need the best possible nutrition to grow and develop in a healthy manner, and breast milk has life-saving antibodies that help protect babies against disease, illness, and intestinal infections. If, for whatever reason, a mother is unable to provide her own or enough breast milk, or a baby cannot breastfeed, milk donations can be essential. That’s where the Milk Bank comes in!
Lions for Sight Glasses Recycling Drop-Off
The Lions Clubs International Lions for Sight program is officially back at 501 Pharmacy! If you have old eyeglasses, readers, or sunglasses lying around that you no longer wear, bring them by our shop and drop them in our donation bin to give someone else the gift of clear vision.
Sweet Treats: Maple View Ice Cream
As the weather starts to cool down, don’t forget that ice cream is great no matter what the temperature is outside! Stop in to check out our eight rotating flavors of local Maple View Farm Ice Cream at the counter—the perfect reward after getting your autumn check-in done!