Question: Do pharmaceutical companies assist in covering the cost of medicine?
From: Yvonne P. of San Antonio, TX

Answer: Most pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, offer assistance to those who lack health insurance coverage or whose health plans do not include prescription benefits. Medications may be provided free or at a discount after showing proof of income and physician consent. You can find numerous sites on the web that will direct you to public and private assistance programs. Ask your primary care physician for assistance and/or check www.rxassistance.org, www.rx.hope.com, and www.pparx.org. The latter website is Partnership for Prescription Assistance which brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, physicians, healthcare providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to assist patients with lower income and who lack prescription coverage. The organization directs patients to public or private programs most likely to meet their needs, including government organizations such as Medicare, Medicaid, or SCHIP. Over 475 programs participate, including 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies, and over 2500 medications are available.