APhA weblinks for Policy 2005.4 Lower Cost Medications

Directories

• RxAssist Patient Assistance Program Center
  • http://www.rxassist.org/
  • Register for list of pharmaceutical company programs
• Needy Meds
  • http://www.needymeds.com/
  • Searchable by brand, generic, program, company, state, and local
• Partnership for Prescription Assistance
  • https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php
  • Searchable by medication list for assistance programs
• RxHope
  • http://www.rxhope.com/
  • Register for searchable database by medication list
• Free Medicine Program
  • http://www.freemedicineprogram.com/
  • Apply for help in accessing patient assistance programs

Cards

• Together Rx Access Card
  • http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/
  • Pharmaceutical sponsored discount card

Specific Companies/Products/Conditions

• Novartis Pharmaceuticals USA
  • http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/novartis/pap/pap.jsp
  • Apply for discounts on specific Novartis medications
• Pfizer Patient Assistance Programs
  • http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/ProgramList.aspx
  • List of programs for Pfizer products
• The Access Project
  • http://www.atdn.org/access/states/index.html
  • State by state listing of AIDS Drugs Assistance Programs

Government Programs

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
• Benefits CheckUp
  • http://www.benefitscheckup.org/
  • Questionnaire to help find out about government programs

Links to other organizations

• ASHP
  • http://www.ashp.org/homecare/asthma-resource.cfm
    • List of Asthma medication assistance programs
  • http://www.ashp.org/pap/State.cfm
    • List of State patient assistance programs

APhA links

• Medicare Part D
• 340B information

Frequently Asked Questions for patients

• Q: What are patient assistance programs?
  A: Generally pharmaceutical company sponsored programs that allow patients without insurance (either underinsured or ineligible for government assistance) to get medications at a reduced cost.
• Q: How does a patient qualify for programs?
  A: Many different programs are available and the qualifications may vary. Patients can search online for organizations that help patients apply or some type of local community center or family medicine clinic for the indigent may have computer software to aid patients in the application process.
• Q: What medications are covered?
  A: Covered products vary by the individual program. In general brand name medications are covered but there are program for generic medications.
• Q: How much does it cost to apply?
  A: Most programs do not have application costs but community centers may charge a nominal fee to help cover administrative costs for the paperwork or some online services charge a fee to help patients apply.
• Q: Where do I find more information?
  A: Visit APhAnet.org for information on the programs that are available.
• Q: What else can I do to save money on prescription medications?
  A: Patients can always ask their pharmacist or physician about generic alternatives. Also, if no generic is available patients can ask if any of the medications in that same class have generic alternatives.