BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a groundbreaking nationwide initiative to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need, launched the New York chapter today. The partnership brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors and other health care providers, patient advocates and community leaders to help patients find the public or private patient assistance program that's right for them.
As the state chapter of the new national program, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance of New York provides a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. These programs provide assistance on more than 2,500 brand name medicines and a wide range of generics. Patients in need may qualify to get prescription medicines for free or nearly free. Qualifying patients will also be given information on how to contact government programs.
"We are very proud to join the Partnership for Prescription Assistance of New York," said Dr. Kimberly Zammit, incoming president-elect of the New York State Council of Healthcare-system Pharmacists. "This program will help thousands of people across the state who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need."
To find out if they may qualify, patients can visit a user-friendly Web site or call toll-free to speak with a trained specialist who will guide them through the application process in English, Spanish and approximately 150 other languages. Patients or their care providers can call toll-free at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) or visit www.pparxny.org. Millions of patients across the country have received free or nearly free medicines through these programs, and millions more may qualify.
"More than 2 million New York residents in our state who lack prescription coverage and have difficulty affording their medicines could benefit from the program," said Andres Garcia, vice president for Community and Government Affairs for Kaleida Health. "We are excited to work with our contacts in New York to spread the word about this important initiative."
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance of New York is comprised of more than one hundred statewide advocacy and community organizations, including: Epilepsy Coalition of New York State, Inc.; American Cancer Society, Eastern Division; Hispanic Federation; Kaleida Health Foundation; National Kidney Foundation - New York Chapter; and the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York. This extensive nationwide grassroots program works with community leaders to help boost enrollment in and increase awareness of patient assistance programs throughout the state.
Patients who need help paying for their prescription medicines should call toll-free at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) or visit www.pparxny.org to see if they may qualify.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance logo can be found at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1814