Cabinet Peaks Medical Center will be participating in the federal 340B discount drug program, effective today.

The program provides steeply discounted drugs to patients at estimated discounts of 25 percent to 50 percent, according to a statement from Cabinet Peaks Medical Center Director of Marketing Kate Stephens.

“This is our way of helping the community and our patients,” said Amie Wells, the center’s pharmacy manager.

The program allows participating medical providers to contract with area pharmacies in order to help make the discount drug program available to a wider range of patients. Cabinet Peaks Medical Center has contracted with five area pharmacies to offer the program, Libby Drug, Rosauer’s Pharmacy and Granite Pharmacy in Libby, Kootenai Drug in Troy and Eureka Drug in Eureka.

All Cabinet Peaks patients are eligible for the discounted program, outpatients, inpatients and patients at the walk-in clinic.

“Cabinet Peaks is following an industry trend with this program, and is excited to offer the opportunity to more residents in our area. It’s a service to our patients, a service to our local pharmacies and a service to our communities,” Wells said.