Kennedy Thanks McMaster, DHEC for Recognizing Potential of Private Companies to Make a Difference in COVID-19 Response

WEST COLUMBIA – Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, in partnership with Dominion Energy South Carolina, has launched a convenient drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination site in West Columbia.

As a part of its ongoing efforts to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nephron is offering vaccinations by appointment only to citizens who are eligible. S.C. DHEC has information available regarding vaccine eligibility as well as scheduling vaccine appointments.

“I am so proud to be a part of a powerful private sector partnership that is going to have an immediate impact on the community, region and state we all love so much,” said Nephron CEO Lou Kennedy. “When I called Keller Kissam from Dominion, he did not hesitate to embrace the opportunity to provide anything they could to help. Partnerships like this are going to make our entire nation stronger on the other side of the pandemic.”

The drive-thru is located on Dominion Energy property off of I-77 at Exit 2. In addition to providing the space for a drive-thru, Dominion Energy is also generously contributing power and logistics support.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to join Nephron in giving back, saving lives and helping return our state to normal,” said Keller Kissam, President of Electric Operations at Dominion Energy South Carolina. “When two great corporate citizens team up, there is no limit to the good we can do for our neighbors.”

Nephron registered nurses and pharmacists are administering vaccinations, with assistance from Nephron CLIA-certified diagnostics lab employees.

“I want to thank Governor McMaster and DHEC for their leadership,” said Kennedy. “They recognize the potential private companies have to make a difference in the lives of the people of South Carolina. As soon as we let them know we could help get people vaccinated, we felt like we were a part of the team, and we could not wait to get to work.”

COVID-19 tests are also available as a part of the drive-thru. Nephron established a diagnostics lab last year in order to conduct COVID-19 tests. Since opening the lab, Nephron has tested thousands of people across the state for COVID-19 – including employees, students, educators, athletes and families – as the company does its part to keep South Carolina healthy and safe during the public health crisis. The Nephron CLIA-certified lab procured state-of-the-art technology for COVID-19 real-time PCR testing and serological antibody testing. Results are delivered within 24-48 hours.

Additional partners making the vaccine drive-thru possible include: Stay Alert Safety Services, County of Lexington Public Works and Emergency Services Departments, Town of Lexington and Optec Digital Displays.

A West Columbia, S.C.-based company, Nephron develops and produces safe, affordable generic inhalation solutions and suspension products.

The company also operates an industry-leading 503B Outsourcing Facility division which produces pre-filled sterile syringes and IV bags for hospitals across America, in an effort to alleviate their drug shortage needs.