My mom is having trouble affording one of her prescriptions. She needs the name brand because the generic to has adverse side effects for her( and insurance company won?t play ball).
In light of this, I have been researching prescription assistance programs and discount cards. I thought I would share what I have found so that it can hopefully help somebody else. Please note that this only applies to the USA as far as I know.
There are several different types of discounts that may be available depending on ones unique situation.
First off, some of the major manufacturers of name brand medicine offer discounts on specific medications. For example when I first started taking migraine medicine, I was able to get a discount from Pfizer which lowered the ridiculously high co-pay to half. However this discount was only for the first year of treatment. I presented a medication specific discount card to the pharmacy. Pfizer was very clear that this program was only for patients Who had insurance which was not state insurance. Because of the limited time factor, there were no income requirements, I just had to print a card off the internet.
Another option for someone whose specific medication is not covered by insurance is something called the national prescription savings network. From what I can tell the program works because the network offers marketing services to major manufacturers who stand a lose money when patients get generic drugs. In exchange for their marketing, they receive a payment each time the card is used. Presumably, this payment is higher than the discount they offer you, so they are able to pay the difference to the pharmacy and keep the profits.
Thirdly (and lastly), there?s government programs and charity programs (I think all of these are income dependent and some stipulate that one not have any outpatient RX coverage). See http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/faculty/jfleitas/bandaides/medicine.html
In light of this, I have been researching prescription assistance programs and discount cards. I thought I would share what I have found so that it can hopefully help somebody else. Please note that this only applies to the USA as far as I know.
There are several different types of discounts that may be available depending on ones unique situation.
First off, some of the major manufacturers of name brand medicine offer discounts on specific medications. For example when I first started taking migraine medicine, I was able to get a discount from Pfizer which lowered the ridiculously high co-pay to half. However this discount was only for the first year of treatment. I presented a medication specific discount card to the pharmacy. Pfizer was very clear that this program was only for patients Who had insurance which was not state insurance. Because of the limited time factor, there were no income requirements, I just had to print a card off the internet.
Another option for someone whose specific medication is not covered by insurance is something called the national prescription savings network. From what I can tell the program works because the network offers marketing services to major manufacturers who stand a lose money when patients get generic drugs. In exchange for their marketing, they receive a payment each time the card is used. Presumably, this payment is higher than the discount they offer you, so they are able to pay the difference to the pharmacy and keep the profits.
Thirdly (and lastly), there?s government programs and charity programs (I think all of these are income dependent and some stipulate that one not have any outpatient RX coverage). See http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/faculty/jfleitas/bandaides/medicine.html