When a coalition headed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America launched its Partnership for Prescription Assistance initiative April 5, the group hoped to quickly reach large numbers of people needing help getting prescription medications. As of April 25 -- just three weeks into the program --142,000 patients have qualified for assistance, said Anne Berry, PhRMA's director of alliance development.
A little national TV exposure hasn't hurt.
In fact, on April 25, the day PhRMA President Billy Tauzin appeared on MONTEL, the TV talk show hosted by Montel Williams, the PPA received 25,000 inquiries via calls to the phone center and hits to the Web site.
The PPA initiative had received a boost the previous day, April 24, during ABC's hit show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. When ABC learned that the featured family was struggling to pay for numerous prescription medicines, the network arranged, through several pharmaceutical companies, for lifetime supplies of free medicines for every family member who needed them. While ABC didn't utilize the PPA (the initiative hadn't yet launched when the segment was taped), the episode provided a perfect segue for a PPA TV ad that ran at the end of the show, complete with phone number and Web site information.
"The response numbers are just fantastic and we hope they continue," said Berry. "PhRMA recognizes that physicians are on the front line, trying to help patients. We're glad to finally be able to give physicians a tool to help."
Patients who have qualified for assistance are praising the program. Berry provided a sampling of patient comments received at the PPA call center:
"This program is so good -- I'm going to save so much money on my prescriptions -- you have no idea how much this helps."
"You know, I couldn't even afford to pay my bills after going to these expensive medicines -- my family even had to pay my rent. But thanks to your program, I can pay my own way again."
This is the only hope I have to help me with my medicines. Thank goodness for this program -- it's too good to be true!"
The AAFP supports the PPA and encourages family physicians to spread the word to their patients. Order PPA brochures to distribute to patients by calling (888) 477-2669. Read "Accessing Prescription Assistance Programs Just Got Easier" to learn more about the program and the Academy's involvement, as well as to get instructions on how to get help through the PPA.
