Another hospital opens a food pharmacy

Nashville General Hospital this week became the latest healthcare operation to boost patients’ access to nutritious food by opening a food pharmacy, reports the Nashville Post.

The food pharmacy will primarily serve the hospital’s oncology patients, because weight loss during cancer treatment can lead to complications, according to the Nashville Post’s account of a statement from hospital officials. 

When piloting the pharmacy, the team at Nashville General discovered that participating patients gained an average of 7 pounds over a five-month span, reducing their risk of developing toxicities related to their treatment.

Late last month, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia opened its own food pharmacy, which gives qualifying patient families a three-day supply of healthy foods. 

Read the full story via the Nashville Post.