by Ed Donner

Created on: October 15, 2009   Last Updated: October 16, 2009

Are you having financial problems or on a fixed income? Do you need medications but can't afford them? Does your insurance not have a medication payment program? It is possible that you may qualify for free or nearly free prescription medication. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is an association of over 1,300 national, state and local organizations and programs that have combined forces. Their mission is to help uninsured patients, people who do not have prescription coverage and people who have financial hardship find programs that may help them obtain their prescription medications.

The PPA provides access to nearly 500 public and private programs for which many patients may qualify. Nearly 200 of these programs are provided by pharmaceutical companies themselves. PPA programs provide access to more than 2,500 brand-name medications and also offer assistance for many generic medications as well. There are more than 40 programs that focus on providing medication and health care assistance for children. The PPA also provides information to patients with chronic disease about new medications in development that may be helpful to them.

The PPA also provides information to patients about healthcare programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, and gives information to patients about free health care clinics that are available in their community.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance, which is sponsored by pharmaceutical research companies, was launched in April, 2005. A wide range of respected health care organizations participate in and cooperate with the PPA, including, in alphabetical order, the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Cancer Society, American College of Emergency Physicians, Easter Seals, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, United Way and the Urban League.

Why Haven't You Heard About This?
Since its inception almost 5 million people have been placed in contact with programs that can help them with their medical and particularly their pharmaceutical needs. The PPA strives to work with healthcare providers, such as doctors, pharmacists, patient advocacy organizations and others to provide educational information to the public about the PPA services. The PPA has an outreach program. Chapters of the PPA are present in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. The PPA has two buses that crisscross the United States promoting the programs, and Montel Williams became spokesperson for the PPA in January of 2006.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>