Help With Prescription Drugs - again !
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Help With Prescription Drugs - again !

Jeep

Monday, May 19, 2003 - 09:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Everyone!

Back in February, many of you were of great assistance when I needed help with the cost of prescription drugs for my mother, who suffers with Parkinson's dease. I am happy to report that I have had great success in obtaining help for her drug costs thru many of the links you provided. That thread was archived long ago.

However, I now have another hurdle to overcome. The Sinemet CR (a main Parkinson's drug) she is taking was covered under the discount card Together RX. But now Sinemet is no longer being made. It seems that the original manufacturer has lost the patent on it. Sounds like a perfect situation for using the generic equivalent, and it would be except for the fact that the generic brand (Carbidopa-Levodopa sustained release) is as expensive as the name brand, Sinemet CR. UGH! I checked with several pharmacies and each was $200 or more a month, compared to $15 for the Sinemet under the Together RX program. Apparently there just are not enough companies making the generic brand to keep the price down. Her doctor's office had no advice to give me either. Most of the low income programs apply to name brands only. This is just pure madness to me.

So, my question this time is: does anyone know of a program for the generic brands?

I really hate to be a pest, but there is so much knowledge on this board and I welcome any suggestions.

Thanks to all.

Appletalk

Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 03:12 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I have never used this place and don't know anything about them - but
you could check CanadaPharmacy.com
Good Luck

Tishala

Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 03:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I reccommend canada-drugs-online.com. You need a prescription, but you have that, right? And according to US law, you can get three months of drugs for personal use from overseas--a law that is, of course, flexible because people sometimes need to take more or fewer drugs depending on their condition.

I don't know how many pills your mother takes a day, but the rates are as follows:

Sinemet CR (brand name) 100/25
Price: $61.98 USD Quantity: 100

Sinemet CR (brand name) 200/50
Price: $98.61 USD Quantity: 100

Sinemet CR (brand name) 200/50
Price: $235.95 USD Quantity: 250

Jeep

Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 07:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks to both of you. I'll check them out today.

Have a safe & fun Memorial Day holiday!

Hootyhoot

Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 12:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
The June Reader's Digest had this tip:

You may be entitled to free medicine. All applicants must meet certain criteria and demonstrate financial hardship, but even people with annual income up to $50,000 may quality. For participating health care companies, check the list of members of the Patient Assistance Programs at www.phrma.org/pap


My sister will be retiring soon on a very limited budget and she takes Lipitor, Cozaar and Sotalol ... so I'm interested in keeping this topic going.

Tishala

Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 12:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hippy, thanks for suggesting that--I hadn't even thoght about it before even though I am familiar with those programs. Here is some more information about them, and here is the < link>. Forgive the long posting.

How can I use this information to get medication that has been prescribed to myself or a family member?

Find the name of the manufacturer who makes the prescribed drug in the list below. Read the information about the company's program. If you think you may qualify for one of these programs, talk to your doctor about it. Most programs require that your doctor contact the manufacturer.

How do I know if I am eligible for a program?

Each company determines who qualifies for their program. Many programs simply require the doctor to say that the patient cannot afford the prescribed drugs. Other programs require a patient to meet certain income or assets measures. Private health insurance, third-party coverage, Medicaid, or Medicare may disqualify you from such a program.

What if the drug I need is not listed here?

Not all drugs are available through these programs. However, new programs and new drugs are continually being developed. Contact the manufacturer directly for more information about other programs that may be available.

What if my doctor will not enroll me in an assistance program?

Since these are not government funded programs, some doctors may not participate in them. In this case, consult with another doctor or check if the program you want to be in has a special patient number you can use to enroll yourself.


List of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Indigent Patient Programs

ADRIA LABORATORIES, INC
Adria Laboratories Patient Assistance Program
PO Box 9525
McLean, VA 22102
1-800-366-5570
Doctor must certify that patient cannot afford the cost of the drug.

ALLERGAN PRESCRIPTION PHARMACEUTICALS
Allergan Patient Assistance Program
2525 Dupont Drive
Irvine, CA 92713
1-800-347-4500 Ext. 4280
Up to a 6 months' supply. Eligibility is at the doctor's discretion.

AMGEN, INC.
Amgen Safety Net Programs
Medical Technology Hotlines: 1-800-272-9376
Enrollment in the program is based on a patient's insurance and financial status.

ASTRA
F.A.I.R.
FOSCAVIR Assistance and Information on Reimbursement Program:
1-800-488-3247.
Doctor must sign and complete the application and return it within 7 days to the address on the form. The form must be accompanied by a signed prescription.

BOEHRINGER INGLEHEIM PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
PARTNERS IN HEALTH
1-800-556-8317
Controlled substances are not covered. Maximum of 3 months.
Patient cannot have prescription coverage, cannot be eligible for Medicaid/State assistance programs, and must meet annual income guidelines. Doctor must make the request.

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program
PO Box 9445
McLean, VA 22102-9998
1-800-736--0003
At doctor's request.

BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
Cancer Patient Access Program
Bristol-Myers Squibb Cancer Patient Access Program
2400 West Lloyd Expressway
Evansville, IN 47721, Mail Code R-22
1-800-437-0994.
Two months' supply. Financial screening on case by case basis.

BURROUGHS-WELLCOME
Patient Assistance Program
Burroughs-Wellcome Co.
PO Box 52035
Phoenix, AZ 85072-9349
1-800-722-9294
Products available in a 30 day supply, with maximum of 90 days. Applications reviewed on a case by case basis. Patients must be residents of the United States or its territories. All alternative funding sources must be investigated.

CIBA-GEIGY PHARMACEUTICAL
Patient Support Program
Jackie LaGuardia, Senior Information Assistant
Ciba-Geigy Corporation
556 Morris Ave. D2058
Summit, NJ 07901
1-800-257-3273.
Up to 3 months' supply available.

DU PONT MERCK PHARMACEUTICAL CO.
Darlene Samis
Du Pont Pharma
PO Box 80026
Wilmington, DE. 19880-0026
1-800-474-2762
Controlled substances are not covered. Thirty day
supply available. Patient must be indigent and
ineligible for a Federal or State Government drug
assistance program.

GENENTECH, INC.
Genentech, Inc.
PO Box 2586
S. San Francisco, CA 94083-2586
1-800-879-4747
Quantity provided. Eligibility requirements variable.

GLAXO, INC.
Laura N. Wright, Supervisor, Glaxo Indigent Patient Program
Glaxo, Inc.
PO Box 13438
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
1-800-452-9677
Maximum 3 month supply. Patient must be a private
outpatient whom the doctor considers medically indigent and who is not eligible for other third-party reimbursement.

HOECHST-ROUSSEL PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
HRPI Patient Access Program
Field Forest Development
1-800-422-4779
Must show lack of insurance or ability to pay.
Eligibility on a case by case basis. Patients must not be eligible for a third-party payer or Medicaid coverage. One course of therapy.

HOFFMAN-LaROCHE, INC.
Daria Osborne, Director, Medical Needs Program
Roche Laboratories
340 Kingsland Street
Nutley, NJ 07110
1-800-285-4489
Three month supply. Eligibility limited to private practice outpatients who are considered by the doctor to be medically indigent and who are not eligible for other third-party reimbursement. Drugs are shipped to
doctor only.

IMMUNEX CORPORATION
Professional Services Immunex Corporation
1-800-466-8639 ; 206-587-0430
Three cycles. Physician must state that the patient requires the drug and that all reimbursement options have been tried.

JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA
Janssen Patient Assistance Program
1800 Robert Fulton Drive
Reston, VA 22091
1-800-544-2987
One or two month supply, varies by product. Patient must have less than $25,000 total annual household income and can have Medicare or private insurance, but cannot have prescription coverage.

KNOLL PHARMACEUTICAL CO.
Knoll Pharmaceutical Indigent Patient Program
30 N. Jefferson Road
Whippany, NJ 07981
1-800-524-2474
Eligible if financially indigent and not insured.

LEDERLE LABORATORIES
Lederle Partners and Patient Care
1-800-533-2273
Doctor must make the request. Patients have to be
financially indigent and not eligible for coverage under third-party insurance or Medicaid.

ELI LILLY AND COMPANY
Lilly Cares Patient Assistance Program
PO Box 9105
McLean, VA 22102-0105
1-800-545-6962
Does not cover controlled substances. Quantities
depend on the product and the doctor's instructions. Eligibility determined on case by case basis. Doctors must submit a written request containing specific information.

MARION MERRELL DOW, INC.
Indigent Patient Program
PO Box 8600
Kansas City, MO 64114
1-800-362-7466
Three month supply. Doctor determines if patient is eligible for the program. Eligibility also based on income level and lack of insurance.

McNEIL PHARMACEUTICAL
Thomas Schwend, Manager, Medical Information
McNeil Pharmaceutical Corporation
PO Box 300
Route 202 South
Raritan, NJ 08869-0602
1-800-682-6532
Varies by product and patient condition. Doctor
determines that patient is indigent and not eligible for health insurance. Doctors may request free medications by written or telephone request, accompanied by a signed and dated prescription and letter stating financial
status and need of patient.

MERCK & COMPANY, INC.
Patient Assistance Program
Merck & Co., Inc.
PO Box 4-WP35-258
West Point, PA 19486-0004
215-652-5000 (collect calls accepted)
Only doctors can call and request applications.

MILES PHARMACEUTICALS
Miles Indigent Patient Program
400 Morgan Ave.
West Haven, Connecticut 06516
1-800-998-9180
Quantities and length of support determined on case by case basis. Doctor must certify that patient is not eligible for or covered by government funded reimbursement or insurance drug programs. Patient income must be below federal poverty guidelines.

ORTHO BIOTECH INC.
Ortho Biotech Financial Assistance Program
1800 Robert Fulton Drive
Reston, VA 22091-4345
1-800-553-3851
1) Financial Assistance Program (FAP)1-800-447-3437 provides PROCRIT therapy free to any qualifying nondialysis patient who cannot obtain insurance coverage, is uninsured or cannot afford cost of their treatment.
2) Cost Sharing Program 1-800-441-1366 limits the annual cost of PROCRIT expenditures for a patient exceeding $8,500 for a calendar year, regardless of third-party coverage.
3) LEUSTATIN Financial Assistance Program 1-800-447-3437 provides LEUSTATIN therapy free to persons who meet specific criteria and lack financial resources and third-party insurance necessary to obtain treatment.

ORTHO PHARMACEUTICALS
Thomas Schwend, Manager, Medical Information
Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation
PO Box 300
Route 202 South
Raritan, NJ 08869-0602
1-800-682-6532
Varies by product and patient condition. Doctor determines that patient is indigent and not eligible for health insurance. Doctor may request free drugs by written or telephone request, accompanied by a signed and dated
prescription and letter stating financial status and need of patient.

PARKE-DAVIS
Parke-Davis Patient Assistance Program
PO Box 9945
McLean, VA 22102
1-800-755-0120
Applications taken over the phone. To apply, patient or doctor calls Parke-Davis with the following information:
Doctor's full name, address, phone number - and -
Patient's name, address, phone number and financial status.

PFIZER, INC. PROGRAM #1
Pfizer Indigent Patient Program
PO Box 25457
Alexandria, VA 22314-5457
1-800-646-4455
Up to 3 month supply at one time, as prescribed. Any patient that a doctor is treating as indigent is eligible. Patient must not be covered by third-party insurance or Medicaid. Usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to get medication.
Refills are available upon request by doctor.

PFIZER, INC. PROGRAM #2:
ROERIG DIVISION
Diflucan Patient Assistance Program
1-800-869-9979
Up to three months' supply at one time and then can reapply. Patient must not have insurance or other third-party coverage, including Medicaid. Patient must not be eligible for a state AIDS drug assistance program. Patient must have income less than $25,000 a year without dependents; or less than $40,000 a year with dependents.

PROCTER & GAMBLE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
17 Eaton Avenue
Norwich, NY 13815
1-800-448-4878
Quantity varies depending upon the situation, but at least a one month supply can be obtained upon receipt of a doctor's prescription. The company relies on doctor's appraisal of patient need. The company also helps patient identify other sources of financial help to pay for medications.

R&D LABORATORIES
Patient Support Program
R&D Laboratories, Inc.
4094 Glencoe Avenue
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
1-800-338-9066
Every R&D Laboratories pharmaceutical nutritional supplement has a special Indigent Patient Program sticker. Patients bring the stickers from their bottles of R&D products with
them when they come to the dialysis unit. Stickers are attached to the back of a booklet supplied by the company and the completed booklet is returned to R&D Laboratories. For
every 12 stickers we receive from a unit, R&D sends nutritional product of facility's choice for free distribution to indigent patients.

SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICALS
Sandoz/NORD Drug Cost Share Program
PO Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812
1-800-447-6673
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)/Sandoz Drug Cost Share Program (DCSP) is solely administered by NORD. Sandimmune, Sandostatin, Parlodel, Lescol, DynaCirc and Eldepryl are covered under one program. Clozaril is covered under a different program. Patient is awarded up to one year's supply of drug, which is shipped in 3 month supplies via the mail-order
pharmacy used by the program. Clozaril-Patient is eligible to receive up to one year's supply of the drug, dispensed only one week at a time. NORD determines eligibility by medical and financial criteria. The patient/applicant must show financial need above and beyond the availability of Federal and State funds, private insurance or family resources.

SANOFI WINTHROP PHARMACEUTICALS
Sanofi Winthrop Pharmaceutical Needy Patient Program
Product Information Department
90 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-907-2000; 1-800-446-6267 (Push #1 twice when automated answering machine picks up) One unit or one month's supply, as required. Subject to
acceptance by the company, patients can obtain medications by having their doctor request the product or provide a written order for the product, and confirm the patient's need.

SCHERING-PLOUGH
For Intron/Eulexin Products:
Service Program, Schering Laboratories
2000 Galloping Hill Road
Building K-5-2B2
Kenilworth, NJ 07033
Initial supply is for 3 months. Renewals available for 3 months at a time. Eulexinnitial supply is for 6 months. Renewals available for 6 months at a time.

For other Schering Products:
Drug Information Services Indigent Program
1-800-521-7157 Initial 3 month supply, with renewals available for up to 3 months at a time. Eligibility determined on case by case basis. The consultation includes a review of the specific case as well as the availability of other means of health care assistance.

SEARLE
Patients in Need Foundation
5200 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, IL 60077
1-800-542-2526
Supply based on the doctor's of patient needs. The program is conducted through the doctor, who determines the patient's eligibility based on medical and economic need. Searle provides suggested guidelines to the doctor.

SMITHKLINE BEECHAM: PROGRAM #1
SB Access to Care Program
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals
One Franklin Plaza-FP1320
Philadelphia, PA 19101
1-800-546-0420 (patient requests)
215-751-5722 (doctor requests)
Doctor determines which patients are eligible and would benefit from the Access to Care Program. Doctors must submit forms to enroll patients in the program. Three month supply
is available at one time. Requests must come from the doctor. Patient's prescription qualifies only if it is not already covered under private insurance.

SMITHKLINE BEECHAM: PROGRAM #2
Eminase/Kytril/Triostat Compassionate Care Programs
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals
One Franklin Plaza-FP1320
Philadelphia, PA 19101
1-800-866-6273
Patient must show ineligibility for other forms of medical assistance and meet the program's income requirements (single patients with annual incomes of $18,000 or less, and persons who are married or have at least one dependent with
annual income of $25,000 or less). For each eligible patient, hospitals should submit a Hospital Consent Form and an Application Form with any one of the following documents: a
copy of the patient's medical record, pharmacy record, or the patient's bill.

SYNTEX LABORATORIES, INC.
Cytovene Medical Information Line
1-800-444-4200
General telephone number to inquire about indigent patient programs is 1-800-822-8255.
Up to 25 vials of Cytovene are available. Syntex provides Cytovene free of charge when it is prescribed for an immuno-compromised patient who has been diagnosed as having CMV cytomegalovirus) retinitis, if that patient lacks the means to purchase the drug, and that patient is ineligible for any form of third-party reimbursement. For information on other Syntex products call 1-800-822-8255.

THE UPJOHN COMPANY
Patient Assistance Program
Upjohn Company
1-800-242-7014
Health Care Professionals should contact their local Upjohn Representative.
Generally, a 3 month supply is provided. However, a doctor can request a longer supply. Doctor determines patient's needs, and whether insurance or other social programs to help provide medications are available.

WYETH-AYERST LABORATORIES
John E. James
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Indigent Patient Program
555 East Lancaster Avenue
St. Davids, PA 19087
1-800-568-9938
In general, 1 to 2 month supply is provided. For Cordarone, one month supply or up to 2 bottles of 60 tablets is provided. Patient must be medically indigent, with no coverage for
drugs.

ZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS
Yvonne A. Graham, Program Director
Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Group
PO Box 15197
Wilmington, DE 19850-5197
1-800-424-3727
One to 3 month supply with application.

Maris

Friday, June 20, 2003 - 05:51 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Prescriptions info I received via email, take it for what its worth.


Steve Wilson, an investigative reporter for channel 7 News in Detroit, did a story on generic drug price gouging by pharmacies.
He found in his investigation, that some of these generic drugs were marked up as much as 3,000% or more. Yes, that's not a typo..... three
thousand percent!

So often, we blame the drug companies for the high cost of drugs, and usually rightfully so. But in this case, the fault clearly lies with the
pharmacies themselves. For example, if you had to buy a prescription drug, and bought the name brand, you might pay $100 for 100 pills. The
pharmacist might tell you that if you get the generic equivalent, they would only cost $80, making you think you are "saving" $20. What the
pharmacist is not telling you is that those 100 generic pills may have only cost him $10!

At the end of the report, one of the anchors asked Mr. Wilson whether or not there were any pharmacies that did not adhere to this practice, and he said that Costco consistently charged little over their cost for the generic drugs.

I went to the Costco site, where you can look up any drug, and get it's online price. It says that the in-store prices are consistent with the
online prices. I was appalled. Just to give you one example from my own experience, I had to use the drug, Compazine, which helps prevent nausea
in chemo patients. I used the generic equivalent, which cost $54.99 for 60
pills at CVS. I checked the price at Costco, and I could have bought 100 pills for $19.89. For 145 of my pain pills, I paid $72.57. I could have got 150 at Costco for $28.08.

I would like to mention, that although Costco is a "membership" type store, you do NOT have to be a member to buy prescriptions there, as it is
a federally regulated substance. You just tell them at the door that you wish to use the pharmacy, and they will let you in.

http://www.detnow.com/news/0207221204.html

Jeep

Friday, August 01, 2003 - 07:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Well, I've had some pretty good luck lately in finding the name brand Sinemet CR. I've had to bounce from store to store, but I finally found it. One pharmacy told me it was being discontinued, but another said it had a huge backorder. Don't really know what's going on, but I have it for now. Mom's discount card only works on the name brands. Instead of $200 a month, it's $15 a month.

There's a lot of info in this thread. I hope it can help others, too. Thanks to all who responded.