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Partnership for Prescription Assistance Helps Two Million Americans in One Year
The Partnership Launches "Patient Assistance Day" to Celebrate Anniversary and Raise Awareness; Adds New Feature to Connect Patients with Physicians
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Washington, D.C. – The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a national program sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies to help patients in need access prescription medicines, today commemorated its one-year anniversary by launching the first annual "Patient Assistance Day" and enhancing its services. Educational activities are taking place across the country to raise awareness of and help boost enrollment in patient assistance programs. The PPA has helped more than two million uninsured and underinsured patients, but millions more can benefit.
"The PPA is an enormous success," said Billy Tauzin, President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. "However, we realize that millions more need assistance. That is why we are doing everything we can to improve the PPA so we can continue to identify and assist patients in need."
The PPA's newest feature connects patients with free health clinics in their community. Over its first year of operations, the PPA learned that access to a physician was often the greatest obstacle to completing applications for prescription assistance programs. The PPA hopes that the free clinic database will alleviate that challenge for millions of patients in need.
"The PPA is making significant strides in helping people who truly need assistance paying for their prescription medicines," said PPA National Spokesman Montel Williams. "I am very proud to partner with the PPA to get patients matched to programs that provide medications at little or no cost."
Through a toll-free number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) and user-friendly Web site (http://www.pparx.org/), the PPA provides a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs that could provide help with more than 2,500 medicines, including a wide range of generic medicines.
More than 1,300 national and local organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Urban League, United Way of America, Easter Seals and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, have partnered with America’s pharmaceutical companies to make the PPA a success.
"I know from my own practice that most patients are unaware of patient assistance programs or do not realize they qualify," said Mary E. Frank, M.D., board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). "With continued advertising, on-the-ground activities and the addition of new features which allow patients to identify a personal medical home, the PPA is doing everything it can to help these patients."
For additional information on patient assistance programs that may meet their needs, patients should call toll-free 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) to speak with a trained specialist or visit www.pparx.org.
"The PPA is an enormous success," said Billy Tauzin, President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. "However, we realize that millions more need assistance. That is why we are doing everything we can to improve the PPA so we can continue to identify and assist patients in need."
The PPA's newest feature connects patients with free health clinics in their community. Over its first year of operations, the PPA learned that access to a physician was often the greatest obstacle to completing applications for prescription assistance programs. The PPA hopes that the free clinic database will alleviate that challenge for millions of patients in need.
"The PPA is making significant strides in helping people who truly need assistance paying for their prescription medicines," said PPA National Spokesman Montel Williams. "I am very proud to partner with the PPA to get patients matched to programs that provide medications at little or no cost."
Through a toll-free number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) and user-friendly Web site (http://www.pparx.org/), the PPA provides a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs that could provide help with more than 2,500 medicines, including a wide range of generic medicines.
More than 1,300 national and local organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Urban League, United Way of America, Easter Seals and the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, have partnered with America’s pharmaceutical companies to make the PPA a success.
"I know from my own practice that most patients are unaware of patient assistance programs or do not realize they qualify," said Mary E. Frank, M.D., board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). "With continued advertising, on-the-ground activities and the addition of new features which allow patients to identify a personal medical home, the PPA is doing everything it can to help these patients."
For additional information on patient assistance programs that may meet their needs, patients should call toll-free 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) to speak with a trained specialist or visit www.pparx.org.
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 105,900 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer Web site, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
