Three Million Americans Find Help Through Partnership for Prescription Assistance

"Help is Here Express" Bus Tour Makes Stops in all 50 States and More Than 500 Cities Nationwide

Washington, D.C. – The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), today announced it has helped more than three million Americans nationwide find programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. The PPA, sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies, is the largest private-sector effort connecting low-income, uninsured and underinsured patients to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

"We realize that medicines sitting on a shelf do not benefit anyone," said Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. "America's pharmaceutical research companies are devoted to not only inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives, but to making sure all patients have access to those medicines. That is why we have taken the Partnership for Prescription Assistance across the country so that no patient goes without the medicines they need."

The PPA is conducting an intensive outreach campaign aimed at patients and providers, including the "Help is Here Express" national bus tour. The "Help is Here Express" buses are criss-crossing the country, visiting all 50 states and more than 500 cities across America.

Traveling with the "Help is Here Express" is Emmy-winning syndicated talk show host and PPA National Spokesperson Montel Williams. "Since January, I have been traveling the country talking about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, and I have seen the difference the program is making in people's lives everyday," said Williams. "For the millions still in need of assistance, we will continue our journey across the country letting patients know that help exists."

Patients in need can visit the PPA's easy-to-use Web site (www.pparx.org) or call the toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) where trained operators field calls in more than 150 languages. Over 2,500 brand-name and generic prescription medicines are available through participating patient assistance programs. In addition, the PPA provides information on nearly 10,000 free healthcare clinics and has connected nearly 85,000 patients with clinics and health care providers in their communities.

More than 1,300 national and local organizations, including the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the National Urban League, Easter Seals and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, have partnered with America's pharmaceutical research companies to help spread the word about the PPA.