Aura and all that need help......Cindy (2024)

Cindy,

Thank you so much for posting this information! It is extremely
valuable information for everyone.

Sue
Moderator
Chronic Pain Assistance

--- In Chronic_Pain_Assistance@..., "cindy clark" <c-
clark05@c...> wrote:

Patient Assistance Programs:
Medications & Equipment for Free/Low Cost

Most pharmaceutical manufacturers have patient assistance programs

to provide medication for people with low incomes, no insurance, or
no drug coverage. Before we begin listing resources, there are two
important facts you need to know:


Many well-informed medical professionals are unaware that these

programs exist. In fact there are nearly 50 pharmaceutical companies
(and more than 900 medications) involved in these programs.


It may be necessary to ask your doctor's office to research the

availability of the medication to determine if there is a drug for
you that is available free of charge. Generally, your physician must
process your request and, if you qualify, distribute the medication.
The drug manufacturer will not send the medication directly to you.

Each company has special requirements, forms, and procedures.

Although there is no central clearinghouse for obtaining up-to-date
information about these programs or the drugs themselves, various
resources can help. Each manufacturer has its own criteria, but some
parameters include:


Eligibility will be determined by your income level, overall

circumstances, and insurance status.

You must be ineligible for third-party reimbursement or support

programs.

You will be given a limited supply of medication and you will have

to reapply for refills.

Some programs mandate the physician waive his or her fee
Medication must be used for FDA-approved applications.
In most cases, you must be a legal US resident.

About opioids
The current controversy on the use of opioids to treat chronic pain

has prompted many manufacturers to remove these drugs from their
patient assistance list. One exception is Purdue Pharma, manufacturer
of OxyContin®, MS Contin®, MS IR®, and OxyFast®. Your physician must
call the Purdue Pharma Patient Assistance Program (800) 599-6070 and
request an application for you. A Purdue Pharma sales representative
will call on your physician and expedite the process.

Resources

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturer's Association (PhRMA)
The PhRMA, a trade group for the pharmaceutical industry, has

compiled a Patient Assistance Directory of drug companies
participating in this program, their eligibility criteria, and the
application processes for its program PhRMA recently added an on-line
application process to pre-qualify patients (go to
http://www.phrma.org). You can access the directory via the website
or you can call (800) 762-4636 for the printed directory. A recording
will ask for your name and address. You will receive the directory by
mail in a couple of weeks. In addition, the association sponsors
www.HelpingPatients.org for patients in need of assistance.If you do
not find the answer to your question here, you should contact the
drug manufacturer directly. Telephone numbers are listed in the
directory.

Medicare, Medicaid, and Medigap
The Prescription Drug Assistance Programs section of

http://www.medicare.gov provides information on programs that offer
discounts or free medication to individuals in need. To find
information on prescription drug assistance programs, Medicare
managed care plans, and Medigap plans that offer prescription drug
coverage in your area, go to
http://www.medicare.gov/Prescription/Home.; you can complete a form
on the site and then select "View Results" to see if you qualify.

www.Rxhope.com
Rxhope is a free web-based service that helps prescribers and

patient advocates apply, obtain, and track requests for no cost
medication for patients who can't afford them and who have no access
to prescription insurance or government-funded programs. They can
help identify

--Federal, state, and charitable agencies that have patient

assistance programs

--Ways to register on the Internet
--How to navigate the Drug Information Center, State, and Federal

Assistance Programs

--Healthcare Links (provide access to healthcare information from

the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry)

Pharmaceutical Company Links

The Medicine Program
If you qualify for assistance, this organization works with your

physician to help you enroll in one or more of the many patient
assistance programs now available. The Medicine Program requires a $5
processing fee for each medication requested.

These programs provide prescription medicine free-of-charge to

individuals in need, regardless of age, if they meet the sponsor's
criteria. If you are approved and enrolled, your medication will be
sent to your physician to dispense it to you. If the program's
sponsor approves your application, you will receive your medication
at no charge. To be approved for enrollment, some of the primary
requirements are:

You have no insurance coverage for outpatient prescription drugs,

nor do you qualify for a government program that provides for
prescription medication, e.g. Medicaid.

Your income is at a level that causes a hardship when you are

required to purchase the medication at retail. Your income must fall
within the limits established by each pharmaceutical company (The
limits vary according to the company).


The $5 processing fee is payable to The Medicine Program.
http://www.themedicineprogram.com. To request a brochure call (573)

996-7300.

NeedyMeds
This is an online database of companies and the drugs they offer

free of charge. Go to http://www.needymeds.com

Indigent Patient Services, Inc.
Indigent Patient Services, Inc., (IPS) works to facilitate the

process required to access patient assistance programs sponsored by
pharmaceutical manufacturers. It researches available drug assistance
programs and works directly with your healthcare provider to
determine your eligibility.

IPS - 440 13th Ave. No., St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Phone: (727) 821-7333, Fax: (727) 898-0004, E-mail : IPSC@j...

Pharmaceutical Companies' Patient Assistance Programs

The following pharmaceutical manufacturers provide patient

assistant programs for all categories of therapeutic areas. You can
contact them directly with questions about specific medications.


Amgen, Inc. (800) 272-9376
AstraZeneca (800) 355-6044
Bayer Corporation (800) 468-0894, x2765
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (800) 556-8317
Bristol Myers Squibb (800) 332-2056
Eli Lilly and Company (800) 545-6962
Fujisawa Healthcare,Inc. (800) 477-6472
Genentech, Inc. (800) 879-4747
SmithKlineGlaxo Patient Assistance (800) 722-9294
Roussel, Inc. Hoechst Marion (800) 321-4669
Janssen Pharmaceutica (800) 523-5870
Knoll Pharmaceutical Company (800) 524-2474
Ortho McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc (800) 679-7937
Merck & Co., Inc. (800) 994-2111
Novartis Pharmaceuticals (800) 257-3273
Ortho Biotech (800) 553-3851
Pfizer Inc. (800) 646-4455
Pharmacia Corporation (800) 242-7014
Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc (800) 830-9049
Purdue Pharma (800) 599-6070
Roche Laboratories (800) 285-4484
Sanofi Synthelabo Inc (800) 446-6267
Schering Laboratories/Key Laboratories (800) 521-7157
Serono Laboratories, Inc. (800) 582-7989
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc./UNIMED Pharmaceuticals (800) 256-9818
Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories (800) 282-7700

Source: Directory of Patient Assistance Programs, Pharmaceutical

Research and Manufacturers of America, 1100 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005, (202) 835-3400. For a complete directory, call
800-PMA-INFO (1-800-762-4636) and a recording will ask for your name
and address. It takes 7 to 10 days to receive the list.

National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD) Medication Assistance

Programs

Through the NORD Patient Assistance Program, eligible patients are

provided with cost-free medications, or, in some cases, subsidy
relief is given for high health insurance co-payments. Please visit
www.rarediseases.org for more information.

NORD also administers Early Access Programs for investigational new

drugs (INDs) under the Food and Drug Administration's
approved "Treatment-IND" programs that allow for a limited number of
individuals to receive certain investigational drugs prior to FDA
marketing approval.

Assistive Devices

Silver Cross
This is a free information service that can help you find a

recycled or new, low-priced product, including:

Ceiling lifts
Home residential elevators
Incline wheelchairs/lifts
Patient lifts
Vertical wheelchair lifts
Scooter lifts
Bath lifts
Electric wheelchairs
Lift chairs
Hospital beds
Stair lifts
Electric scooters
For more information, go to www.silvercross.com

E-Bay
This on-line auction house is also a source for assistive devices.

Go to the site, www.ebay.com and click on health and beauty. You can
bid on the items available.

Copyright © 2003 RSDSA. All rights reserved.
For permission to reprint any information on the website, please

contact RSDSA.

Last modified: May 30, 2003
http://www.rsds.org/resource_directory_patient_assistance.htm
Aura and all that need help......Cindy (2024)

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