Warren County spends about $100,000 a year on medications for Warren County Jail inmates.

On Tuesday, the prison board heard a proposal that could save it 10 to 20 percent of those costs.

Beacon Light CEO Rick Seager said his organization is looking into creating a "closed-door pharmacy" to save it some money. Bringing partners into that idea could increase its buying volume and create more savings, he said.

So, he invited the prison board to consider joining.

"It seems as if those who provide services in the community are struggling with the same issue and that is pharmaceutical costs," Seager said.

Creating the closed-door pharmacy would eliminate several layers of "middle men" in the purchasing process. Seager said Beacon Light is also looking at the possibility of creating a non-profit pharmacy.

The licensed pharmacy would not sell to the public. It would only provide the drugs needed by its members.

With the buying power of the combination of Beacon Light, Warren County, and possibly McKean County, the pharmacy would likely save significantly on volume.

Commissioner John Eggleston suggested Seager contact the McKean County commissioners. Commissioner John Bortz said he believes Commissioner Joseph DeMott may have been a pharmacist.

Beacon Light is headquartered in Bradford.

"We've been talking to three consultants," Seager said. "It looks positive."

He said the organization would continue on the path to the closed door pharmacy with or without the county.

Seager said Beacon Light would pay for the consultations.

"We're going to do this," he said. "If we can save 10, 15, 20 percent, that's material to us."

The discussion turned to the types of medications that could be offered.

"Psychotropic medications are some of the most expensive on the market," Seager said.

Psychotropic drugs are prescribed for certain cases of mental illness. They act on the central nervous system and alter brain function.

Beacon Light provides about 400,000 doses of medication each year, he said. Many of those are psychotropic medications.

Seager indicated that those drugs have been the focus of the effort so far, but, "we may find ourselves going beyond that."

"I'd be very interested in one-stop shopping," Bortz said.

Response to the idea was positive.

"It sounds like a good idea," Warden Gerald Britton said.

"I think it's a fantastic idea," Commissioner Terry Hawk said. "I love it."

So far in 2009, the county has spent $71,829 on medications for the jail, according to Fiscal Director Toby Rohlin. That number is down from recent years. In 2008, the medication bill was $131,594 and in 2007 the total was $122,167. The 2006 total was $78,808.

The county budgeted $100,000 for medications in 2009.

Officers graduate

Britton told the board that four Warren County corrections officers graduated from the academy in Erie on Oct. 30.

The county graduates were officers Ryan Tipton, Megan Langworthy, Becky Hanlin and Officer Audrey Cline who was awarded a certificate for "highest academic achievement" among the class of 17, Britton said.

Inmate programs

"We have seven inmates who are going to our life enhancement accountability program," Britton said.

The acronym 'LEAP' is an appropriate one. "That's what we want them to do - move ahead," Britton said.

In the program, inmates are allowed to attend church services in the community. "It's good to see that this activity is taking place," Bortz said. "It seems that we are getting fruit out of it."

With the program growing, Britton asked the board to approve some assistants for Chaplain John Nelson.

The board approved Rev. C. D. Moore, and Rev. Jon Swart as auxiliary Warren County Prison clergy.

The jail also has a new GED instructor, Cheryl Harrington.