More than 30 million uninsured Americans became
eligible in February to receive savings of between 25 and 40 percent on
275 brand-name and generic prescription products through a
private-sector discount program called Together Rx Access. Enrollment
in the program opened January 11.
The program is designed
to help the uninsured and persons who do not qualify for Medicare,
Medicaid, or other government assistance. Enrollees receive a Together
Rx Access Card they can show at the pharmacy counter to receive
immediate savings when they purchase their prescriptions. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, whose
membership consists of more than 200 chain community pharmacy
companies, supports the program. "NACDS is pleased that Together Rx
Access is preserving the relationship between uninsured patients and
their trusted community pharmacist," noted Catherine Polley, R.Ph.,
vice president of state government affairs for the association. The program is a joint effort among pharmaceutical
companies Abbott Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Aventis Pharmaceuticals,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceutical Products,
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical,
Inc., Pfizer Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., and TAP
Pharmaceutical Products Inc. "We understand many Americans--particularly those without health insurance--are
concerned about health care costs," said Pat Kelly, president of
Pfizer's U.S. pharmaceuticals business. "We know the pharmaceutical
industry alone can't solve these problems, but we can be part of the
solution by helping the uninsured have access to the medicines they
need."
California Assemblyman Jerome E. Horton (D-Inglewood) commended the pharmaceutical companies for their vision.
"It
is good to see 11 of the nation's leading pharmaceutical companies come
together to create a program that allows working families greater
access to prescription medication," Horton said in a February 15 news
release. The benefits of the Together Rx Access program extend to
millions of Americans, including children, who are uninsured and don't
have prescription drug coverage. Approximately eight of 10 Americans
without health insurance are in families that are actively employed, working at full-time or part-time jobs that do not offer health insurance.
The
participating companies offer savings on brand-name prescription
medicines that treat some of the most common medical conditions
affecting Americans, including allergies, arthritis, asthma, cancer,
depression, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension.
"Improving
access to quality health care is a complex series of challenges that
will require the collaboration of the public and private sectors,"
Horton noted. "I am pleased that these companies recognize the need and
are committed to doing the extensive outreach necessary to reach the
appropriate populations." He made special mention of the fact that
enrollment in the program is simple and enrollment materials are
bilingual. To qualify for Together Rx Access, an applicant must:
- be a legal U.S. resident under age 65;
- have an annual income not greater than $30,000 (single) and $60,000 (family of four); and
- not be eligible for government assistance programs.
The companies that participate in Together Rx Access also offer their
own Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). Together Rx Access applicants
are automatically notified if they are eligible for further
savings--and in some cases free medicines--through the PAPs.
Persons who
believe they meet the Together Rx Access eligibility guidelines can
apply for the Together Rx Access Card program free of charge by calling
1-800/444-4106 or by visiting http://www.TogetherRxAccess.com. Enrollment forms and additional information are also available through participating pharmacies and in physicians' offices.
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