September 27, 2005
NEWSMedical groups aid needy patients
Because there is so much competition in the drug industry today, it is logical that the cost of medication would go down. However, the prices of medications have doubled in the past seven years. Programs in Arizona are readily available to help those who are affected by these rising prices.
There are Patient assistance programs (PAPs) for the middle-aged and younger in financial assistance and providing health information.
These programs are relatively easy to enroll in. This is beneficial to college students who either are not eligible for insurance through their jobs, do not have a job, or cannot afford the insurance their job offers them.
A resource for patients in need of cheaper medications is a website, called www.needymeds.com. This website includes information about local and state programs, drug manufacturer programs, and discount card programs. It also provides information regarding the requirements for these programs and how to go about enrolling in them.
The majority of drug manufacturers offer charity programs in which patients receive their medications for free or at low-cost. These programs require that a patient has no insurance and falls below a percentage of the federal poverty level.
“There are a few factors as to why young patients are not enrolling in these programs.” said William Price, the Unit Coordinator at McKesson Health Solutions. “First, the majority of young people do not know these PAPs exist. Second, they are worried that their information may be sold to the public, but they are fully protected by HIPAA (Act dealing with confidenciality of patients). Third, a lot of people are too proud to admit they need help.”
PAPs are becoming more popular, though. In 2003, The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America PhRMA found more than 6.2 million patients get free prescriptions through PAPs.
If a patient is not eligible for a PAP, there are still other options. Discount cards can drastically reduce the price of medications. The most popular discount card for college students and middle-aged patients is the Together RX Access card.
Price said, “The manufacturers saw what the Together RX discount card was doing for the senior citizens and they created a card for the rest of the population. The only downfall is that there are not enough discount programs in existence so people that are not eligible for PAPs may suffer due to a lack of medications available on the discount programs.”
“AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) is the only route,” John Webber, a Mesa Walgreen’s pharmacist said about patients who can’t afford their medications or get funding from a Pap.
Non-profit organizations like www.needymeds.com are there to help students find PAPs and other drug assistance. Local pharmacists and doctors are also a source for individuals who are weary of enrolling.