Need a pain reliever for a headache? Medicine for a cold? A bandage for a cut? Remedies are now a short distance away in pharmacy-on-the-go vending machines at convenient locations across the Indiana University Bloomington campus.

The IU Student Government, in partnership with IU Student Health Center, has installed vending machines that dispense 36 products — including not only commonly used medications but personal hygiene items such as lip balm and deodorant — in six buildings:

• Indiana Memorial Union, basement level.
• Student Recreational Sports Center, main lobby.
• Forest Residence Hall, near the academic support center on the second floor.
• McNutt Residence Hall, to the right of the center desk.
• Read Residence Hall, to the right of Read Café.
• Wright Residence Hall, near the dining hall. (Soon to move due to an upcoming renovation)

“The Student Health Center is always working to increase student access to affordable health care,” IU Student Health Center Executive Director Pete Grogg said. “The leaders of the IU Student Government approached us with the idea that over-the-counter vending machines could provide medications to students on campus where they have easy access, and we loved the idea.”

The health products are available for purchase by anyone — staff, faculty, students and visitors — with cash or a debit or credit card.

Grogg said the IU Student Government’s goal was to provide popular over-the-counter health products around the clock and within walking distance, filling a gap for those without access to transportation, or for when the Student Health Center and other stores are closed.

The products and their prices are what you would find and pay if you bought them at the Student Health Center and still lower than much of the local market, Grogg said.

“We looked at our own inventory, our own internal sales of over-the-counter items in our pharmacy, and selected the top sellers,” he said. “We looked at that list and then, based on the capacity of the vending machines, filled in some blanks with things like tissues.”

Kyle Seibert, IU Bloomington student body president, said he’s excited to see the machines installed across campus and thankful for IU Student Health Center’s cooperation in the project.

“For us, installing these machines was a no-brainer; they are a boon for students, faculty and staff alike,” Seibert said. “It is not every day we are able to do something that benefits everyone on campus so evenly, but this service will allow everyone on campus to grab what they need, start feeling better and get on with their day.”

Kirk Johannesen is a communications consultant in the Office of the Vice President of the Communications and Marketing.