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Prescription Help

Prescription Help

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Getting sick or having a medical condition that requires medication on an ongoing basis can be expensive, even with insurance (which is ALSO expensive)?

I work in a doctor's office and one way we try to save our patients' money is by giving samples of the medication they need. If you are on some types of medications (like for diabetics) the drug companies themselves have what they call an "indigent patient" program. Ask your doctor about this in relation to medications. Often times there is only a form to fill out and then the medicines are free to you, even if your income is mid-range. Also, you can ask for samples of medications such as decongestants, birth control pills, antibiotics.

This way you save money on medications...especially if you find out you can't take the medicine due to a side effect. You haven't shelled out a lot of money for a prescription."

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Here are some resources for free medications:

The Medicine Program,
P.O.Box 515,
Doniphan, MO 63935-0515.
Phone: 1-573-778-1118
Internet: Click here to visit the The Medicine Program website or paste the following into your browser:
   http://www.themedicineprogram.com

Click here to e-mail The Medicine Program or paste the following into the address field of a message:
   help@themedicineprogram.com

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Many of the pharmaceutical companies make their products available free of charge to patients who do not have the means to pay for them. The following companies have indicated that all prescription products manufactured by their company are covered under their programs:
  1. Allergan
  2. Burroughs-Wellcome
  3. Glaxo, Inc
  4. Marrion Merrell Dow, Inc.
  5. Miles
  6. Parke-Davis
  7. Sanofi Winthrop
  8. Amgen, Inc.
  9. Du Pont Merck
  10. Hoffman-LaRoche
  11. Merck
  12. Norwich-Eaton
  13. Smithkline Beecham
  14. Upjon
Normally, your physician has to make the request and the amount may vary from one to a three month supply per request. Of course, the doctor has sales reps from all these companies visiting him/her on a continual basis (usually at the same time as your appointment) and will have the information available to them.

You have to REALLY be financially indigent (i.e. can't afford gas for your '95 Volvo) to be eligible for these programs, however, your doctor will help you to become financially indigent.

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WEBSITE FOR FREE MEDS----

Some of the drug manufacturers will provide medications free if your physician requests it. The information is on-line. Click here to visit the 1999-2000 Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs or paste the following into your browser:
   http://www.phrma.org/patients/

You need to check the manufacturers of any medications you are using, then look up that mfr. on the website and determine whether they are offering that particular medication. You then take the information to your physician who can request the company provide it to you. Don't be put off by information stating that the individual must have exhausted all other resources -- in most cases, your physician makes the determination, and makes the request to the pharmaceutical company.

If you don't have access to the Internet, you can ask your public library to access this site and print it out for you.

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