200 New Patient Assistance Programs

1000 New Prescription Medicines, 200 New Patient Assistance Programs Now Available for Uninsured, Individuals in Need

Partnership for Prescription Assistance Adds New Options to Proven, Effective Program

Washington, D.C. – The Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a national program helping low-income patients who lack prescription drug coverage access prescription medicines, today announced a significant expansion of its resources. The proven and effective program now offers access to more than 475 patient assistant programs and nearly 2,500 prescription drugs to people in need. This nearly doubles the number of patient assistance programs and prescription drugs previously offered through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance.

"We are excited to increase the number of programs and prescription drugs offered through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance to people in need," said Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). "This program is helping hundreds of thousands of patients around the country who otherwise were not aware that help is available. The addition of these drugs and programs to those already available through the Partnership will help us reach even more individuals in need."

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance provides a single point of access that helps patients get access to needed medicines through its toll-free number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) and user-friendly Web site (www.pparx.org). Patients will also receive information on government programs for which they may qualify, such as Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Programs.

More than 60 national organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, Easter Seals, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, United Way of America, as well as a fast-growing list of state and local organizations, are working with America’s pharmaceutical companies to spread the word about the program.

To find out if they may qualify, patients should call toll-free 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) to speak with a trained specialist or visit www.pparx.org.