Financial Assistance Available for Rx Medications
Washington, DC (February 23, 2005): We often hear about the more than 38 million
Americans without health insurance and the even greater number of Americans
who struggle to pay for prescription medications. What we don't often hear
about, however, is where those individuals can turn for financial assistance.
For example, in 2004 alone, a record number of patients received free or discounted
medications from America's pharmaceutical companies. This reflects the pharmaceutical
industry's expanded efforts to assist those who need help paying for their prescriptions.
In 2004, millions of patients across America
received more than 22 million prescriptions with a wholesale value topping
$4.17 billion. This is a significant increase from 2003, when 18 million
prescriptions were filled with an estimated wholesale value of $3.4 billion.
"We hope the number of people who are helped continues to grow. PhRMA member
companies know a medication that sits on a shelf, out of financial reach of
patients, helps no one," said Billy Tauzin, president and chief executive
officer of PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.
This assistance comes from a variety of
sources inclugin a series of innovative new state programs that serve as clearinghouses
for the more than 275 public and private prescription assistance programs
available. In 2004, the industry also made available a new application form
on its website, www.helpingpatients.org , to make submitting
the necessary forms easer and faster.
In 2004, PhRMA launched new prescription
assistance programs in six states modeled after the successful "Rx for Ohio"
project. These programs support collaboration between numerous community
and health organizations. "Regardless of where you live, help is available
today for those Americans who are having trouble affording their prescriptions.
No one who needs help should go without their life-saving medications," advised
Tauzin.
The state programs feature a website, the
easy application form, and a toll-free number for those who prefer to call
for initial eligibility screening.
"The success of these programs is rooted
in the local support of community health groups, physicians and many others.
Working together, these partnerships reach out to individuals, conduct training
sessions on enrollment and help spread the word that help exists for people
who need it," said Tauzin.
Program Details
Created: 2/27/2005 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
