Prescription Drug Web Sites For Cash Crunched Seniors

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Prescription Drug Web Sites For Cash Crunched Seniors

Prescription Drug Assistance Programs are among the drug industry’s best-kept secret. Almost all major drug manufacturers have programs to provide free or low cost medications, but drug makers rarely publicize the programs. Many doctors aren’t aware of them and patients can go without the medicine they need. An estimated 1400 drugs made by 100 companies are available, including chemotherapy drugs.

Participating in the programs takes some effort. Each manufacturer has its own eligibility and application requirements. Paperwork can be unwieldy for patients who take more than one prescription. In addition patients must frequently reapply with each company. Many programs require that patients work closely with a doctor, nurse or social worker.

Nevertheless, a rising number of seniors are obtaining the drugs they could not otherwise afford through these programs. To learn more here are links to helpful resources:

http://www.benefitscheckup.org BenefitsCheckUpRx provides comprehensive information on approximately 30 state-funded pharmacy programs, each state's Medicaid program, and 116 company-sponsored patient assistance programs, among others. For more information, read "Seniors Find Prescription Savings With BenefitsCheckUpRx" at http://www.tscl.org/NewContent/101793.asp.
http://www.helpingpatients.org The web site of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America has a directory of patient assistance programs.

Editor’s Tip: A number of web sites charge fees ranging from $5 to as much as $100 for publications and services that provide information on Prescription Drug Assistance Programs. Much of this information however, is available free of charge. Start your search with the above two web sites. In addition you are likely to find help locating a Prescription Drug Assistance Program through your local Agency on Aging. Check your yellow pages or visit the Eldercare Locator—The Eldercare Locator connects older people and their families to valuable information on services and resources for senior citizens anywhere in the country. http://www.eldercare.gov

Persons can also access this information by calling 1 (800) 677-1116 and speaking with a friendly, trained information specialist. The Eldercare Locator is a free public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging, and is administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

Sources: “Web Sites Help Cash Crunched Get Medicine,” Lisa Baertlein, Reuters, December 25, 2002.

Significant Statistics on Prescription Drugs

Almost half (47%) of TSCL members in 2002 said they have no prescription drug coverage. (The 2002 Advisor Senior Survey)
The percentage of seniors who do not have prescription drug coverage varies substantially by state: California (18%), New York (19%), Pennsylvania (21%), Ohio (22%), Colorado (23%), Michigan (25%), Illinois (31%) and Texas (31%). (Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commonwealth Fund, 2002))
Nearly one-quarter of all seniors (22%) said they did not fill a prescription because it was too expensive or they skipped doses of their medications to make them last longer. (Kaiser Family Foundation and the Commonwealth Fund, 2002)
Americans aged 65 and older account for more than 40% of all drug spending, but represent only 12% of the population. (AARP, 2002)
Prices of generic drugs are rising almost twice as fast as prices of brand-name drugs. (The New York Times, December 27, 2002)
Prescription drug health plan premiums are projected to to rise nearly 20% in 2003. (The Segal Health Plan Cost Trend Survey, November 20, 2002)

April 2003