Pharmacy at Primary Health Care
Pharmacy services in Central Iowa
Get help with your prescriptions from a pharmacy team that works with your PHC provider. We can help with refills, prescription transfers, and questions about your medicines.
University Pharmacy: 515-262-0854
How to get your prescriptions
Call the pharmacy to confirm your medicine is ready and arrange pickup or mailing.
Des Moines & Marshalltown
Pick up prescriptions at University Pharmacy in Des Moines or the Marshalltown pickup location.
Call University PharmacyMedicine by mail
- $5 mailing fee, plus any copay.
- Payment requires a credit or debit card.
- A pharmacist calls before mailing.
- Refrigerated medicines and controlled substances cannot be mailed.
Refrigerated medicines
Refrigerated medicines are delivered to Ames on Tuesdays for pickup during clinic hours. A pharmacist calls for counseling and payment before delivery to the clinic.
Arrange refrigerated pickupAmes service update: Regular prescription pickup ended December 19, 2025. Read the Ames pharmacy update .
How our pharmacy team can help
From your first prescription to ongoing refills, our team can help you understand your medicines and stay connected to your care.
Refills & prescription transfers
Need a refill or want to move a prescription to PHC Pharmacy? Call our team for help with the next steps. We can work with your PHC provider if a new prescription is needed.
Understand your medicines
Ask a pharmacist how to take your medicine, what side effects to watch for, and what to do if you have questions. Tell us about any other medicines, vitamins, or supplements you take.
Manage multiple medicines
Taking more than one medicine can be confusing. Our pharmacists can review your medicines, answer questions, and help coordinate refills.
Care connected to your provider
Our pharmacists work with your PHC provider to review prescription questions and changes. This helps keep your medication information up to date.
Insurance & medication costs
Have questions about paying for your prescriptions? Our pharmacy team can help you check coverage and review medication costs.
Check your pharmacy coverage
Before filling a prescription, check with your insurance plan or PHC Pharmacy to confirm:
- Whether PHC Pharmacy is in your plan’s pharmacy network.
- Whether your plan covers your medicine.
- How much you will need to pay.
Have your insurance card ready when you call, including a separate prescription coverage card if your plan provides one.
Have Medicare? Ask us to check your specific Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage drug coverage. Coverage for PHC clinic visits does not automatically mean PHC Pharmacy is in your plan’s network.
Help with medication costs
If you do not have prescription coverage or your medicine costs more than you can afford, talk with our pharmacy team.
We can review available options with you. Eligible patients may qualify for discounted medication pricing.
The help available depends on your medicine, coverage, and program requirements. Ask our team what may apply to you.
Pharmacy locations & hours
Call before traveling to confirm your prescription is ready and check pickup hours.
University Pharmacy
1200 University AvenueDes Moines, Iowa
Phone: 515-262-0854
- Monday–Friday
- 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Saturday–Sunday
- Closed
Marshalltown
101 Iowa Avenue WestMarshalltown, Iowa
Phone: 641-717-1023
- Monday–Thursday
- 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Friday
- 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Saturday–Sunday
- Closed
Ames: refrigerated medicine pickup
3510 Lincoln Way, Ames, IowaAmes offers arranged pickup for refrigerated medicines. Regular prescription pickup is no longer available. Call University Pharmacy to arrange your medicine and confirm when it will be ready.
Hours may change for holidays. Call ahead to confirm.
Pharmacy questions, answered
Find answers about using PHC Pharmacy, prescription coverage, refills, and pickup.
Do I have to be a PHC patient to use the pharmacy?
Yes. To use PHC Pharmacy, your prescription must be written by a PHC provider. Patients from any PHC clinic can use our pharmacy services.
Call our pharmacy team with questions about your prescription, insurance coverage, or pickup options.
How do I transfer a prescription to PHC Pharmacy?
If your prescription was written by a PHC provider, call PHC Pharmacy for help transferring it. Have your medicine name and your current pharmacy’s contact information ready.
Our team can explain the next steps and let you know if a new prescription is needed.
How do I request a refill?
Contact the pharmacy before you run out. Have your prescription bottle or medicine name ready when you call. Ask when your refill will be available.
If your prescription has no refills left, you may need a new prescription from your provider.
Will my insurance cover prescriptions at PHC Pharmacy?
Coverage depends on your specific prescription plan and medicine. Ask your plan or our pharmacy team whether PHC Pharmacy is in your network and what you will pay.
This also applies to Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage drug coverage. Coverage for PHC clinic visits may differ from pharmacy coverage.
What if I need help paying for my medicine?
Talk with our pharmacy team about available options. Eligible patients may qualify for discounted medication pricing. Available help depends on your medicine, coverage, and program requirements.
Can I still pick up prescriptions in Ames?
Regular prescription pickup in Ames ended December 19, 2025. Arranged pickup for refrigerated medicines is still available. Call University Pharmacy to coordinate pickup.
Can my medicine be mailed?
Mail options are available for many medicines for Ames patients. Refrigerated medicines and controlled substances cannot be mailed. Call our pharmacy team to ask whether your prescription qualifies and review payment.
Can a pharmacist help me understand my medicines?
Yes. Ask about medicine instructions, side effects, and taking more than one medicine. Tell the pharmacist about any vitamins, supplements, or other medicines you use.
If you are thinking about changing or stopping a prescribed medicine, talk with your pharmacist or prescribing provider first.
Is help available in my language?
Yes. Interpreter services are available at no cost. Tell our team which language you prefer when you call.