[e-drug] AstraZeneca launched new 'Patient Assistance Program'

e-drug
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E-DRUG: AstraZeneca launched new 'Patient Assistance Program'
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[The moderator posted a review of the American patient assistance programs some years' ago: http://www.essentialdrugs.org/edrug/archive/199812/msg00041.php. It is a shame that American citizens have to rely on donations from drug companies]

Dear E-druggers,

AstraZeneca announced a new programme to help Americans to pay for medicines. Beginning November 15th, a family of four earning $60,000 or less or individuals earnings $30,000 or less, who do not have prescription drug coverage, can qualify to get AstraZeneca medicines for free.
A jubilant press release can be found on:

www.pharmalive.com/News/Index.cfm?te=ppj%40pwc%2Edk&articleid=387428

I am trying to understand what is behind this initiative, and wonder
what E-druggers find:

- Is AstraZeneca the "truly caring company who knows people need assistance", as the press release wants us to believe?
- Is this a response from the brandname industry to claw back market
share from the generic industry?
- Has AstraZeneca gotten into so much trouble (see earlier E-drug postings) that it needs to show a nice face?
- Has Corporate Responsibility become the fashion of the day for the industry?
- Or could it be that these sorts of programmes are actually cost-effective, and that public relations and promotion gains outweigh the costs of the programme?
- Any other reason?

The discussion is open!

Hilbrand

Hilbrand Haak
Consultants for Health and Development
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Sleedoorntuin 7 tel: +31-71-523.2052
2317 MV Leiden fax: +31-71-523.3592
The Netherlands e-mail: haakh@chd-consultants.nl

Visit CHD's website at www.chd-consultants.nl

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E-DRUG: AstraZeneca launched new 'Patient Assistance Program' (2)
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Reasons 2,3 and 4 make sense. But my favourite is the last one: These sorts
of programmes are actually cost-effective for the company. Otherwise they
wouldn t be accountable to their shareholders. This explanation fits nicely
for every move of companies.

Maybe I can add that:

- It is a variation of giving drug samples to prescribers as a marketing
method.
- It is a supportive move for DTC.
- It will be useful for their stock (to be able produce and sale on a
constant level)

Murat

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Murat Civaner. MD PhD
Dokuz Eylul University
School of Medicine
Dept. of Medical Ethics,
Izmir, Turkey
+90.232.412 4001
mcivaner@gmail.com

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E-DRUG: AstraZeneca launched new 'Patient Assistance Program' (3)
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Long term strategy:

1) It is well proven that public health systems outperform private ones from the average patients perspective (= better outcome for less money spent)

2) the major obstacle towards a public health system in the US has got the
writing on the wall (predictable outcome of recent elections)

3) public health systems are a major revenue reducing factor for the
pharmaceutical industry through price regulation (eg Australian PBS)

4) Anything that can be used to delay the introduction of a public health
system (= relieving the pressure of those not receiving adequate health care) will result in delaying loss of revenue

Horst
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Horst Herb, MD
Principal, Dorrigo Medical Centre
Dorrigo, NSW 2453
Australia
subscriptions@gnumed.net