The major drug companies have programs which will provide medication at little or no cost to those with high deductables orotthr insurance/income related issues.
The most comprehensive sites for this information are:
NeedyMeds.com
NeedyMeds.com tracks patient assistance programs with lists by drug, manufacturer and program. There are also lists by state of programs that will help you with the paperwork, plus information on disease-based assistance and drug discount cards. There is no phone helpline.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
(888) 477-2669
The Web site helps you determine what assistance programs you may be eligible for by clicking on your medications and filling out a short eligibility form. PPARx also has online forms for doctors to use for patient applications.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance
(401) 729-3284
RxAssist offers a database of patient assistance programs. You first register by answering a few questions, then search by drug name or by pharmaceutical company to locate programs.
The Access Project
(800) 734-7104
The Access Project's goal is to help you find assistance in some form, whether it's Medicaid, Medicare Part D, a state program, a drug company's patient assistance program, private insurance, or even a clinical trial. The site also has information on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) across the nation. ADAPs provide a number of different drugs free or low-cost to AIDS/HIV patients.
Free Medicine Program
Volunteers will help you find a suitable patient assistance program and help you apply, including sending you an application kit with a letter for your doctor to fill out for the drug company. There is a $5 processing fee for each medication, which is refunded if you don't qualify. If you do qualify, you will receive a 90-day supply of your medicine sent to your home within two to three weeks by the drug maker. To qualify you must meet the following requirements:
You do not currently have insurance coverage for outpatient prescription medicines.
You have an income level that causes hardship when prescription medicines are purchased at retail price.
You do not qualify for a government or third-party program that provides for prescription medicine coverage.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
(203) 744-0100
(800) 999-6673
NORD works in conjunction with drug makers to offer free-medication assistance, including drugs to treat multiple sclerosis, Hodgkins lymphoma, narcolepsy, Crohn’s disease and many others. NORD administers the patient assistance programs for numerous medications. The Web site lists each program's separate contact information.
Single Patient Investigational New Drug Programby the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Patients who are in medical crisis may receive drugs that are not yet FDA-approved by having their doctor apply to the program. This program is for "emergency" or "compassionate" prescriptions. Doctors must first get permission from the drug manufacturer.