San Diego Mesa College recently introduced a Wellness Vending Machine stocked with reduced cost and free essential items. The vending machine, created by San Diego company Dotstash, brings equity and affordability in the health space to students and the greater Mesa College community.

The installation, located on the fourth floor of the campus Student Services Center, is part of The Wellness Vending Machine Pilot Program (Assembly Bill 2482), which provided a five-year grant to several California State Universities, as well as 18 California Community Colleges including Mesa College and its sister school, San Diego City College. The $15,000 grant includes the cost of the machine and funds to subsidize products within the machine.

“This new initiative underscores Mesa College’s commitment to supporting the well-being of our students and campus community,” said Mesa College President Ashanti T. Hands. “The Wellness Vending Machine removes as many barriers as possible to allow for greater access to a range of healthcare products.”

The vending machine dispenses such over-the-counter items as menstrual products, contraceptives, the “morning-after pill,” pain relievers, and pregnancy tests. Those items that come with a cost will be listed at lower-than-retail prices.

The vending machine offers users a large touch-screen menu that has a color image of each available item. Where appropriate, the machine also engages users with health information and medication education on the dispensed items.

Administrators of the machine from both Dotstash and Mesa College’s Student Health Services office will stock the machine based on usage data and confidential student surveys. Real-time data provides alerts when inventory is running low so that re-stocking can occur in a timely manner.

“While we work to increase access to much needed health and wellness items, we also want to do so thoughtfully,” said Dotstash Founder and CEO Mona Powell. “We also highly encourage individuals to speak with their health care provider and/or access Student Health Services to discuss any questions or concerns.”

As part of the Campus Opioid Safety Act, there are future plans to have a free Narcan dispenser next to the Wellness Vending Machine, whereas currently the opioid overdose medicine is only available directly from the Student Health Services department.

“Everyone who has seen it so far has been really excited,” said nurse practitioner and Mesa College faculty member Laura Milligan, who helped collaborate with Dotstash on the Wellness Vending Machine.

This article originally appeared here.