A relatively little-known program of the pharmaceutical industry will provide certain drugs at little or no cost to patients who are without insurance and/or have little disposable income. Participating manufacturers include such firms as Abbott Laboratories; Amgen Inc; Bayer; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Ciba; DuPont; Glaxo Wellcome; Eli Lilly; Merck; Pfizer and many other well-known names.
The procedure to be followed is outlined in the Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs, obtainable from the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, listing programs of individual manufacturers. In each case, the request must come through your attending physician, who should have a copy of the directory. If you require prescription drugs and find it impossible or difficult to pay for them, don't hesitate to broach the subject to your physician and ask for his or her help.
Physicians who do not have a copy of the program may obtain one from: PhRMA, 1100 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington D.C. 20005.
The directory may also be viewed online or downloaded from http://www.phrma.org/patients/