The DeWeese Health Center is bringing health and wellness out of its center into the campus and community.
The center’s new initiative, DeWeese On the Go, started this Fall semester by selling over-the-counter (OTC) medications in Eastway Market & Deli, located at the Eastway Center on Kent campus.
DeWeese On the Go has a stand with plastic cards similar to gift cards in an end cap at grocery stores.
“The idea is for you to take the plastic card of the medication that you want, bring it to the counter, and they’ll ring you out and give you the medication,” said Kat Lindsey, MS, executive director at DeWeese Health Center.
She explained the reason for that is for the buyer’s discretion.
“If all of the cards look the same and it’s just this small writing of what it is, then a student can grab the card of the medicine they need off the stand and walk up to the counter,” she said. “No one would know what the medicine is. It gives a little privacy to what the patients are purchasing.”
The medicines offered in the rack include: 
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Acetaminophen 325mg (comparable to Tylenol 325mg)
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Clotrimazole 1% Antifungal Cream (comparable to Lotrimin AF 1% Cream)
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Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Acne Wash
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Eye Allergy Itch Relief Drops (comparable to Pataday Eye Drops)
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Levonorgestrel 1.5mg Tablet (comparable to Plan B One-Step)
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Oxymetazoline 0.05% Nasal Spray (comparable to Afrin Nasal Spray)
OTC supplies will continue to be sold at DeWeese Health Center during regular business hours. However, with the medications being available at the marketplace, students can purchase them during off-business hours on the evenings and weekends.
“We’re trying to offer these highly utilized medications at a lower cost for the students because we can get them at a reasonable price when purchasing through the pharmacy at DeWeese,” Lindsey said. “We want to pass those cost savings along.”
DeWeese On the Go also conducted influenza vaccinations at the Kent Student Center and the Kent State Library this fall. Lindsey mentioned her vision is for DeWeese On the Go to become a branch of the center responsible for all outreach initiatives.