NC MedAssist began in 1997 (as MedAssist of Mecklenburg) through the efforts of the Mecklenburg Medical Society Alliance with the assistance of a $55,000 grant from the employees of Presbyterian Hospital. Last year, NC MedAssist dispensed over $70 million in medicines for our patients. Currently, 21% of the prescription medications are secured from the Patient Assistance Programs (PAP) available through participating pharmaceutical companies and 79% are purchased generics.