Mayte Prida Educates Hispanic Americans

Talk Show Host, Author Mayte Prida To Educate Hispanic Americans About PPA Program

Miami, FL – Mayte Prida, a nationally recognized television personality, producer and author, has been named a national spokeswoman for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a patient assistance program clearinghouse launched in April 2005 by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Prida, a breast cancer survivor, will help raise awareness in the Hispanic community about the more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs which provide free or nearly free drugs to people with limited incomes.

Prida also will appear in numerous cities across the country to promote the PPA, beginning with an event in Miami on June 27 at the Dr. Rafael Peñalver Clinic from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In addition, Prida will be a featured part of PhRMA's Hispanic-oriented web site, www.phrma.org/espanol or www.nuestraphrma.org. The web site will have its own distinct features geared towards educating the Hispanic population about the latest developments in medicines.

"As a cancer survivor, I know firsthand the importance of access to prescription medicines," said Prida. "The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has been tremendously successful in helping patients in need, and I look forward to increasing awareness of the program in Hispanic communities, where many more people can benefit," Prida continued.

Since its inception, the PPA has connected more than 2.4 million low-income uninsured or under-insured Americans to public and private patient assistance programs that may provide them with free or nearly free medicines. A prominent feature of the PPA's nationwide effort is the "Help is Here Express" – two buses that crisscross the country, stopping in hundreds of towns and cities to educate the public about patient assistance programs.

Billy Tauzin, PhRMA President and CEO, said the naming of Prida as a national PPA spokeswoman "ensures that language will not be a barrier to access. The goal of the PPA is to reach as many people in need as possible, and part of that effort includes educating America's Hispanic community about the hundreds of public and private patient assistance programs available to them."

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (1-888-4PPA-NOW; www.pparx.org) is the only source that provides a single point of access to the more than 475 patient assistance programs, which include more than 180 programs offered by the pharmaceutical industry. The PPA educational effort is supported by America's pharmaceutical research companies working with doctors, pharmacists, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups.

More than 70 major national organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Urban League, the National Hispanic Medical Association, United Way of America, Easter Seals and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, are involved in the campaign. PPA now has more than 1,300 local and state partners located throughout America as well.

Born in Mexico City, Prida received her Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

During her professional life, Prida has gone from the newsroom to the recording studio, to creating, producing and anchoring a wide variety of television shows, and ultimately to establishing her own production company, Diva Digital Pictures.

As a result of her fight against cancer, Prida authored her first book, "A Difficult Journey, My Battle With Cancer." The book has had great success in international markets, opening doors as an author and spokeswoman for various women support groups and for cancer research and awareness organizations.

Currently, as head of Diva Digital Pictures, Prida is in charge of supervising the creation and production of a variety of television programs, instructional videos and TV commercials, in addition to producing and hosting children's shows, such as the "Fútbol con Mayte" ("Soccer With Mayte") series.