Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs - Free or Low Cost Medications
by: Legal Hotline for Older Iowans
September 2002
Having a tough time stretching your budget to pay for expensive medications? A Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Program may be able to help. A number of drug companies provide prescription medicines at low cost or free of charge to physicians with needy patients. Each company that provides this kind of assistance has their own rules for participating.
In order to make it easier to identify and use these programs, a drug industry group of manufacturers (the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America or "PhRMA") have created a Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs (the "Directory"). This Directory lists participating manufacturers, the medicines that are available and the general eligibility requirements for each manufacturer's program. Most drug manufacturers have programs and a large number of medications are available. You can get copies of this Directory from the Hotline for Older Iowans by calling (800) 992-8161, from the PhRMA by calling (800) 762-4636, or on the internet at www.phrma.org.
To apply for one or more of these programs, you must work closely with your physician. You will need to provide your physician with information required by each drug manufacturer that makes a medicine that you need. Your physician will then make a request to each company on your behalf.
If you meet the manufacturer's requirements, the company will send the medicine to your physician. Your physician will then give the medicine to you.
As mentioned above, every manufacturer has its own rules for eligibility. Some companies require that a patient's income be below federal poverty guidelines. Others determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis. You may find that you are eligible for the programs of some companies but not others. You should ask your doctor to help you apply to all companies that make the medicines you take, especially the more costly ones.
If the Directory does not list the manufacturer that makes the medicine you need, you should check with the manufacturer directly to see if they have a Patient Assistance Program. If they do, you should request an application and information on eligibility requirements. You will still need to work with your physician to file the application and receive the medicine.
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