Part 1: Get Your Drugs at 50% Off -- or Even Free

People with sizable incomes often qualify

Edward Jardini, MD
Twin Cities Community Hospital

Special from Bottom Line/Health
October 1, 2008

A nyone who regularly takes prescription medication knows how pricey drugs can be.

Fortunately, there are places where you can buy your drugs for less -- or even get them for free. The key is knowing where to look.

Important: Although most low-cost drug programs have income eligibility requirements, do not assume that you won't be accepted into a program just because your income is officially too high. Many programs will consider applications on a case-by-case basis.

Best resources for finding low-cost or free medications...

DRUG DISCOUNT NETWORKS

Some groups connect patients to public and private assistance programs that provide discounted or free drugs to eligible patients. These include...

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (888-477-2669, www.pparx.org). This collaborative network of professional medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, and private groups links patients with more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs that offer more than 2,500 drugs at reduced cost or no charge. Income qualifications vary by state.

Together Rx Program (800-444-4106, www.togetherrxaccess.com). Backed by a consortium of pharmaceutical companies, this program provides a 15% to 40% discount on more than 300 brand-name and generic prescription drugs. The program targets people who don't have prescription drug coverage with annual incomes of $30,000 or less for individuals... $40,000 for a family of two... and up to $70,000 for a family of five.

PHARMACEUTICAL PATIENT-ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Major pharmaceutical companies have their own patient-assistance programs that offer many -- though not all -- drugs at a discount, or even for free, to people who cannot afford them. Eligibility requirements vary -- even families earning up to $70,000 a year can qualify. Some companies evaluate applications on a case-by-case basis.

To obtain a free copy of Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs, call the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at 800-762-4636. To determine the manufacturer of a particular drug, ask your pharmacist or go to www.PDRhealth.com/drugs/drugs-index.aspx. Among the pharmaceutical companies with programs...

Abbott Patient Assistance Program (800-222-6885, www.abbott.com). Click on "Global Citizenship."

AstraZeneca's AZ & Me Prescription Savings Program (800-292-6363, www.astrazeneca-us.com).

GlaxoSmithKline (888-825-5249, us.gsk.com). Click on "A Helping Hand" for a list of all GSK drug-assistance programs.

Lilly Cares Patient Assistance Program (Eli Lilly) (800-545-6962, www.lillycares.com).

Merck Patient Assistance Program (800-727-5400, www.merck.com/merckhelps/patientassistance/home.html).

Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation (800-277-2254, www.pharma.us.novartis.com).

Pfizer Connection to Care (866-776-3700, www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com).

Roche Labs Patient Assistant Foundation (877-757-6243, www.rocheusa.com/programs/patientassist.asp).

Schering-Plough Cares (800-656-9485, www.schering-plough.com). Click on "Consumer Health Care," then "Patient Assistance and Support Programs."

Wyeth Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Program (800-568-9938, www.wyeth.com).

Some pharmaceutical companies also offer coupons that can be printed from their Web sites, as well as discount card programs offering savings on some products. Check the drug manufacturer’s Web site for details.

Bottom Line/Health interviewed Edward Jardini, MD, a family physician at Twin Cities Community Hospital, Templeton, California, where he has served as chair of the pharmacy and therapeutics committee. He is author of How to Save on Prescription Drugs: Twenty Cost-Saving Methods (Celestial Arts). www.howtosaveondrugs.com.