Prescription Savings Program Surpasses Major Milestones: Two Million Cardholders and $100 Million in Savings

ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwire - February 23, 2010) - As the economy struggles to recover and our nation's leaders continue the challenging work of health insurance reform, more individuals each day find themselves unemployed and uninsured. There is, however, a simple, free Program that can help those without prescription drug coverage save on their medications. Nearly 90 percent of the uninsured are eligible. Together Rx Access®, sponsored by many of the nation's leading pharmaceutical companies, has reached two milestones and continues helping those in need focus on their health during these difficult times. In order to reach even more individuals, the Program is asking the public to help spread the word to others who may need assistance affording their medicines.

"Together Rx Access' two million cardholders and cardholders' $100 million in prescription savings are evidence of the tremendous need for this Program," said Roba Whiteley, executive director of Together Rx Access. "Millions more can benefit. Nearly everyone knows someone impacted by the economy or the loss of a job or benefits. If we work together to share this information with even just one person, countless others will have the opportunity to benefit from prescription savings while our leaders work toward a more permanent solution."

Results from a new consumer poll show that nearly half (45 percent) of the uninsured may delay seeking health insurance coverage while waiting for healthcare reform legislation to pass.(1) This is of particular concern as more than 11 million working-age people are living with one or more chronic diseases.(2)

Together Rx Access is the only program offering its cardholders immediate access to savings on brand-name and generic medicines from more than one pharmaceutical company. Medicines in the Program include those used to treat many common conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, depression and high cholesterol.

"As a retired widow living on a budget, I cannot afford health insurance and I am not yet eligible for Medicare," said Helena Jennings, a Mississippi resident and Together Rx Access cardholder. "The Together Rx Access Program has been a blessing... helping me to better afford my prescription medicines. I've recommended the Program to my uninsured family and friends."

About Together Rx Access

The Together Rx Access Card was created by many of the nation's leading pharmaceutical companies to help hardworking Americans and their families gain access to immediate and meaningful savings on prescription products right at their neighborhood pharmacies. Most cardholders save 25 to 40 percent(3) on brand-name prescription products. More than 300 brand-name prescription products are included in the Program.(4) Savings are also available on a wide range of generics. Medicines in the Program include those used to treat high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, asthma, and many other common conditions. The Together Rx Access Card is free to get and free to use.

Together Rx Access also directs individuals to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a clearinghouse for more than 475 public and private assistance programs, including nearly 200 offered by pharmaceutical companies. Those who are eligible for the Together Rx Access Card may qualify for additional savings on prescription medicines, or even free medicines, through other patient assistance programs in the PPA. The PPA also connects people to free health clinics in their communities.

The companies participating in the Together Rx Access Program include Abbott Laboratories; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; GlaxoSmithKline; Janssen, a Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; LifeScan, Inc.; McNeil Pediatrics, a Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Ortho Dermatologics, a Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Ortho-McNeil Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, a Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Ortho Women's Health & Urology, a Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Pfizer Inc; PriCara, a Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Stiefel, a GlaxoSmithKline company; Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.; Tibotec Therapeutics, a Division of Centocor Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.; ViiV Healthcare; and Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC.

For more information about the Together Rx Access Card, contact Together Rx Access at 1-800-966-0407, or visit TogetherRxAccess.com. Information is also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TogetherRxAccess.

(1) Consumer poll conducted in Dec 2009 by Opinion Research Corporation and sponsored by eHealth Inc. http://news.ehealthinsurance.com/pr/ehi/document/Executive_Summary_Opinion_ Research_Health_Reform_Survey.pdf Accessed January 8, 2010.

(2) Wilper A, et al, "A National Study of Chronic Disease Prevalence and Access to Care in Uninsured U.S. Adults" Annals of Internal Medicine, August 2008.

(3) Each cardholder's savings depend on such factors as the particular drug purchased, amount purchased, and the pharmacy where purchased. Participating companies independently set the level of savings offered and the products included in the Program. Those decisions are subject to change.

(4) Visit TogetherRxAccess.com for the most current list of brand-name medicines and products.

Together Rx Access and the Together Rx Access logo are trademarks of Together Rx Access, LLC. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

©2010 Together Rx Access, LLC.