Do you qualify for free, low-cost prescriptions under new program?

[DeepModem Mom]

According to this article the drug industry is trying to improve its image through a new program. If you think you might qualify, it might be worth checking out. Website and phone number are in article below.


Los Angeles Times:
Giveaway Program Improving Drug Industry's Tarnished Image
By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON -- A new drug industry clearinghouse has helped about a quarter of a million people obtain free or low cost prescriptions in the first 100 days since its inception, industry officials said today....

***

The prescription aid program is the industry's first attempt to coordinate access to more than 180 assistance efforts administered by individual drug companies. In the past, doctors usually had to apply for free medicines for their patients....The new industry effort simplified the process, setting up a call center and a website through which patients can find the particular assistance program that covers their prescriptions, and apply directly for benefits.

The call center can be reached by dialing 1-888-477-2669, while the Internet site is at www.pparx.org

Patients who do not have prescription drug coverage through an employer or government program and who earn less than twice the federal poverty level are eligible. The income limit is $19,000 for an individual or $31,000 for a family of three.

Some 600,000 people have contacted the program since it was established in April. Of those, about 300,000 have completed the paperwork and more than 240,000 are receiving medications, said H. Wesley Metheny, a vice president of the pharmaceutical industry group....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-072605rx_lat,0,5652442.story?coll=la-home-nation

[skooooo]

1. 31K for family of 3?!

I would think it would not be real easy to live on that salary as a single individual..

[napi21]

2. I don't know where you live, but we've been living on less that that

fpr quite a while.

I realize there are only two of us, but our total net income is $26,500. We don't do any entertainment things that cost $$, but we're doing ok.

[skooooo]

4. Guess it depends on where you live..

Are you in the south or midwest? Those are the least expensive places to live, I guess.

[napi21]

5. Yep. I live in Ga. But I gotta tell ya, we made the same in Pa.

and that's the NorthEast.

I think a lot depends on where you live, but also what lifestyle you think you have to have.

We go out to eat, maybe 3 times a year. I was surprised when I heard someone on the radio today say "well, the low income folks are satisfied with going to Red Lobster." I like RL, and that's one of the better restaurants we go to.

We own our house and our car is paid for. It took a lot of years, but we finally do.

We do all our own repairs on both cars and home, and I never skinp on what we eat.

I used to have a job where I made pretty good $$, and we did go out to eat quite a bit, never really wanted much that we didn't buy, but you learn to live without all that.

As long as I can pay my taxes, buy food, and have a little bit of play money, thats ok with me.

[asjr]

3. I am covered under just such a program. With me

it was a real situation of get my prescriptions or don't eat. It is a real lifesaver.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. I'm so pleased to hear that, asjr. Thanks for posting! nt

[DeepModem Mom]

7. a.m. kick

[LouisianaLiberal]

8. Thank you for posting this.

My 68 year old mother's med cost just went from $200 per month to $700, and she's on SS. Thanks again.

[DeepModem Mom]

9. You're welcome, LouisianaLiberal -- hope it helps! nt