If you are one of millions choosing between buying your medicine or paying the electric bill, you need to know about this!What are Patient/Prescription Assistance Programs?Commonly referred to as PAPs, Patient Assistance Programs are services offered by pharmaceutical companies for those who cannot afford their medication. Patient assistance programs are available to low-income individuals or families who are under-insured or uninsured and are provided to those who meet the eligibility guidelines. Assistance may range from reduced cost of drugs to free medicine. Each drug that a company offers will have its own unique program and may even have a different eligibility requirement than the other drugs they offer. As there is no unified standard of designation for these programs, you may also see them referred to as medication assistance programs, indigent drug programs, and charitable drug programs.
Patient Assistance Programs are not mandated or managed by the federal government and are offered as a free service by the pharmaceutical industry. Nearly all of the major pharmaceutical companies provide specific programs for their most popular drugs. As each program is different, please take a look through the
comprehensive database which allows you to search by drug or company name to find your medicines specific patient assistance program. Each profile will provide you with detailed information on how their specific program can assist you with your medication bill and what requirements are needed to qualify for assistance.
Don't give upIf you aren't eligible for a patient assistance program, don't give up hope. There are other ways to lower your prescription drug costs. Some companies market drug-discount cards that entitle you to breaks on prescription prices. In addition,
major store chains offer low flat-rate prices for generic prescription drugs: Wal-Mart and Target have lists of prescriptions available for $4,
as do Kroger and Safeway pharmacies. Also,
ask your doctor for free samples of any drugs prescribed. Most physicians have closets full of them.
146 drugs (
see the list here) which Walmart and Target sell as part of their Generic Drug Prescription Programs. Both Walmart and Target sell a 30-day supply of these for a flat $4,
and a 90-day supply for $10.
My husbands diabetes medicine (metformin) is on the $4 list!
Where to get help online:Most of you will want to start with RxAssist
where you can connect with 1000's of PAP's.
My Daughter in Law was able to get her expensive pain meds,
morphine and oxycontin free through these programs.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) FREE
(203) 744-0100
(800) 999-6673
NORD works in conjunction with drug makers to offer free-medication assistance, including drugs to treat multiple sclerosis, Hodgkins lymphoma, narcolepsy, Crohn’s disease and many others. NORD administers the patient assistance programs for numerous medications. The Web site lists each program's separate contact information.
NeedyMeds.com FREE
NeedyMeds.com tracks patient assistance programs with lists by drug, manufacturer and program. There are also lists by state of programs that will help you with the paperwork, plus information on disease-based assistance and drug discount cards. There is no phone helpline.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance FREE
(888) 477-2669
The Web site helps you determine what assistance programs you may be eligible for by clicking on your medications and filling out a short eligibility form. PPARx also has online forms for doctors to use for patient applications.
RxAssist.org FREE
(401) 729-3284
RxAssist offers a database of patient assistance programs. You first register by answering a few questions, then search by drug name or by pharmaceutical company to locate programs.
Single Patient Investigational New Drug Program FREE
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Patients who are in medical crisis may receive drugs that are not yet FDA-approved by having their doctor apply to the program. This program is for "emergency" or "compassionate" prescriptions. Doctors must first get permission from the drug manufacturer.
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