Modesto Bee Looks at Efforts To Enroll Low-Income Patients in Discount Drug Programs
The Modesto Bee on Tuesday examined efforts by the Partnership for Prescription Assistance to enroll low-income patients in "little-known" discount programs and make it easier for patients to apply.
According to PPA, there are more than 475 public and private programs that provide discounted drugs to low-income patients. However, many people are unaware of the programs and "applying has been difficult in the past," the Bee reports.
Through PPA, the pharmaceutical industry -- which offers more than 180 of the plans -- is promoting these assistance programs through a recently developed Web site and customer service line. In addition, PPA has enlisted television talk show host Montel Williams as a spokesperson and has equipped two buses as traveling education centers.
The partnership also has streamlined the application process by creating one application to determine eligibility for all programs (Carlson, Modesto Bee, 1/17).