A state board says a charitable pharmacy started by Gov. Joe Manchin has become the first of its type in the state to be licensed to ship mail-order prescriptions.

The West Virginia Rx program is administered by West Virginia Health Right clinics in Beckley and Charleston. Program executive director Brenda Dane says the license gives the program the ability to partner with different pharmaceuticals.

The Legislature passed a bill a year ago requiring all charitable pharmacies in the state to be licensed.

State Board of Pharmacy Executive Director David Potters said Thursday that charitable pharmacies have more leeway than regular pharmacies because there are no controlled substances present and their clients can't afford to pay for the medications.