Wellness-to-go vending machine provides health and hygiene items to students

Fresno State held a ribbon cutting on Oct. 8 for the official launch of the wellness-to-go vending machine located on the first floor of the Resnick Student Union. 

The vending machine is the first of its kind serving a student population in Fresno County. Enrolled Fresno State students can access several over-the-counter medications, hygiene supplies like menstrual kits, chapstick, deodorant, at-home Covid tests, and harm-reduction products including Narcan and fentanyl test strips, for free or at a low cost. While most products are free of charge, some items are available for purchase at a nominal cost.

“Since the soft launch on Sept. 16, the vending machine has recorded over 800 transactions, of which 333 [around 40%] were accessed when our pharmacy is closed during either the lunch hour or after 5 p.m. Monday through Friday,” said Alicia Nelson, director of wellness services at the Student Health and Counseling Center at Fresno State. “The high usage demonstrates the machine’s immediate impact in providing essential health and wellness supplies to the campus community.” 

Anthem Blue Cross funded the vending machine through the Central Valley Opioid Safety Coalition, in partnership with the Fresno Madera Medical Society. Associated Students, Inc. and the Student Health and Counseling Center also provided funding for the free harm-reduction and hygiene products.

The inclusion of harm-reduction products like Narcan and fentanyl test strips aims to promote safety and reduce the risks associated with opioid use. There are no weekly limits on these critical items, underscoring Fresno State’s commitment to student health and safety.

“From Oct. 1, 2023, to Oct. 1, 2024, we have had a total of 4,004 prescriptions filled, and 8,887 over-the-counter items purchased at our pharmacy,” said Robert Mitchell, director of medical services at the Student Health and Counseling Center. “This annex of our pharmacy with the wellness-to-go vending machine emphasizes the importance of additional access to resources beyond the hours they can acquire them in the pharmacy of the Student Health and Counseling Center.”