Government
Partnership promotes private, public drug-assistance programs
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 18, 2005
A new service offers to link low-income, uninsured patients with 150 drug-assistance programs offered by drugmakers and another 125 offered through public programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is being supported by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and 50 national organizations.
"Millions of Americans already benefit from patient-assistance programs, but we know that millions more who may be eligible have not yet enrolled," said Mary E. Frank, MD, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, a member of the partnership. "Because of this effort on the part of the pharmaceutical industry to simplify and broaden their assistance programs, each patient's personal physician will find it easier to help them get the medications they need."
Patients can access the service online (link) or by phone, 888-4PPA-NOW.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/04/18/gvbf0418.htm.
