End Fatigue

Can Your Patients Afford Their Prescription Medicines?

By Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum

Many patients struggle to pay for their medications, but a free information clearinghouse can help them take advantage of numerous assistance programs covering more than 2,500 brand-name and generic drugs. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) offers a simple way to access more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including those offered by companies belonging to the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

The PPA is committed to increasing awareness of patient assistance programs and boosting enrollment of eligible patients who lack prescription drug coverage. Best of all, the clearinghouse is quick and easy to use: A short phone call or Internet session is all it takes. Patients can simply fill out the application form online or call the toll-free number to have a trained specialist guide them through the steps. There is no charge for either service, and the average time to complete the process is only 10 minutes.

To find out more, patients and their caregivers can call toll-free, 1-888-4PPA-NOW
(1-888-477-2669), or visit www.pparx.org.