Do you take maintenance prescription drugs? Are you employed at a low income job that doesn't offer health insurance? Then you might qualify to get free medicine directly from the manufacturer! The manufacturers that offer patient assistance programs don't advertise that this help is available. But, most of the drug manufacturers including Pfizer, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, Parke-Davis, Novartis, Wyeth, and nearly a hundred more offer an array of over a thousand free prescription drugs for those who qualify.
Prescription drugs offer hope and a better quality of life for patients who suffer from a variety of serious illnesses. For example, they can help the patient who suffers from Diabetes control the level of their blood sugar. They can lower cholesterol levels in patients, thereby reducing the need for coronary bypass surgery. Prescription drugs can also help to treat high blood pressure as well as a host of other ailments.
To find out if you're eligible, you'll need to take the following three steps:
1. Make a list of the medicines you take on a daily basis. Check the bottles to find out who manufacturers each drug.
Let's say, for example that you take the prescription drug NIASPAN on a daily basis. You can usually tell by the bottle who manufactures the drug. In this case, the bottle should read, "KOS Pharm." This tells you that KOS Pharmaceuticals makes NIASPAN.
2. Now, to find out if this company offers a free medicine program, you'll need to perform a search on the Internet for "KOS Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Program."
3. Click on the link to reach the website and find the assistance program. Read the details about the manufacturer's program. If you don't understand the information, or, if you have a question that hasn't been answered on the website, there is usually a phone number you can call for additional information.
Oftentimes, there's a link on the website that you can click on to get program applications. Some of them are in PDF format, so you'll need to download the ADOBE READER software (it's free)
if you don't already have it. Then, you'll need to print out the application so you can fill it out and send it to the company through the mail.
Applications vary, but you'll usually need to provide such information as your name, address, birthdate, social security number, marital status, sex, total number of people who live in your household, your total monthly or yearly income, the source of your income, and, sometimes, proof of your total income.
NOTE: Be sure that you read and follow the directions on the form carefully. Otherwise, you may be disqualified from receiving free prescription drugs.
There is also a section on every application that your doctor or healthcare provider needs to fill out before you send the form in. He or she usually needs to write you out a three month prescription for the specific drug also.
Finally, send the application to the drug manufacturer. It will probably take a few weeks for you to receive a reply. The letter you receive will either notify you that you qualify, or, it will tell you that you don't. If you don't, companies generally give you a reason.
If you do qualify, your medicine will either be sent directly to your home or to your doctor or healthcare provider. You will receive a three month supply; not a one month supply like you're used to buying at your local pharmacy. You'll also receive instructions on how to refill your medicine once the initial three month supply runs out.
