E-drug: Indigent drug donation programmes
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[probably as a response to the email from India requesting info for
obtaining donations of expensive but lifesaving drugs (eg, cyclosporin
for transplant patients, Paul di Virgilio sent us this listing of
drug companies which are willing to donate drugs to poor patients.
What is the internet source, Paul?
As the list contains company names and brandnames, the
commercial names on the list have been censored but some text is kept
to show the varying degrees to which companies have donation programs for expensive
medicines. It would be helpful if someone would volunteer to
analyse the complete list, and write a report/comment to E-drug on the essentiality
of the drugs offered, and the length of treatment offered.
E.g., is it helpful to get 1 year of free cyclosporin? What happens after
that year? If drug companies donate drugs, what policy should be adhered
to for chronic diseases, requiring lifelong treatment?
Wilbert Bannenberg, co-moderator
Email: WilbertBannenberg@compuserve.com]
Dear E-drug participants. I found these listings in my archives. The
drugs available now might have changed but the same companies probably
are continuing a policy of donations. -- Paul.
At the request of other contributors to the list, I am posting this list of
pharmaceutical companies that have assistance programs. The post was
orginally sent by Sherrill Shue on the PAIN-L list (Pain-L *CHRONIC PAIN*
Conference <PAIN-L@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU>). I cannot verify the contacts, but I
believe that they are worth researching. Please let me know how the list
turns out for you. The list will be sent in three parts.John W. Seibert
Medical Research Manager
The Data Finders
"An Internet Research Company"
Little Rock, Arkansas+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Originally Posted By: Sherrill Shue <sherrill@ne.ksu.edu>Pharmaceutical Reimbursement Assistance Programs
The following drug companies have programs that will allow your patients to
receive free prescription drugs.Each drug company offers about the same program. Some are a little
different. What it amounts to is either you, or the patient call the
representative I have listed and request information on how to get signed
up for their Indigent Patient Program. The drug company will then send
either you or the patient the forms to fill out.There are maybe 10 questions on each form. It is very simple. You send the
form back with a prescription for the drugs, in the name of the patient,
and they mail you back a three month supply. Just pick up the phone and
call the patient to come pick them up at your office.
[from 3 long emails, I just took some interesting quotations to start
a discussion. WB]
1> Company X Drug Cost Sharing Program
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) / Company X Drug
Cost Share Program (DCSP) is solely administered by NORD.
Products available:Cyclosporin
Immunoglobulin
Octreotide
Bromocriptine
Selegeline
Clozapine (under a separate program)Patient is awarded up to one year's supply of drug, which is shipped in
three month supplies via the mail-order pharmacy utilized by the program.
Clozapine-Patient is eligible to receive up to one year's supply of the
drug, dispensed only one week at a time, per dispensing requirements of
package label. NORD determines eligibility by medical and financial
criteria, and applies a cost share formula. The patient/applicant must
demonstrate financial need above and beyond the availability of Federal
and State funds, private insurance, or family resources. NORD also
determines patient eligibility for Clozapine program.
2> Product Information Department, company X
One unit or one month supply, as requireed. Subject to acceptance by the
company, patients can obtain medications by having their physician contact
the company to request the product, provide a written order for the
product, and confirm the patient's need.
3> Drug Information Services Indigent Propgram
Where not specified, these drugs are provided for up to three month;
renewals available for three months at at time. Patient eligibility is
determined on a case-by-case basis, on inernal criteria. The consutlation
includes a review of the specific case, as well as the availability of
other means of health care assistance.
4> Contact: "Patients in Need" Foundation
Supply is based on the physician's assessment of the needs for the
patient. The program is conducted through the physician, who determines
the patient's eligibility based on medical and economic need. Company X
provides suggested guidelines to the physician for determination of
patient eligibility.
5> Contact: Company X Access to Care Program
Individual physicians determine which patients are eligible and would
benefit most from the Access to Care Program. Physicians are required to
submit forms to enroll patients in the program. Three months' supply is
available at one time. Requests must originate from the physician.
Brand X (aciclovir sodium) 500mg sterile powderUp to 25 vials of Brand X are available, free of
charge when it is prescribed for an immunocompromised patient who has been
diagnosed as having cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, if that patient lacks
the means to purchase the drug, and that patient is ineligible for any
form of third-party reimbursement to pay for that drug.
6> Contact: Company X Indigent Patient Program
In general, one or two months supply or the closes trade package size
available is provided. For amiodarone, one month supply or up to two
bottles of 60 tablets is provided. The number of cycles of oral
contraceptives given to the patient is determined by a health care
provider or the family planning clinic. The patient must be medically
indigent, with no form of coverage for pharmaceutical products. The family
planning clinic determines eligibility for new and refill oral
contraceptive cycles.
7> Company X
One to three months supply with application.
These drugs are available usually just for the asking. Please give your
patient the best care and take the time to fill out the form and mail it
back to the drug company. It takes so little time to do so and it will
benefit the patient greatly.
--
Dr. Paul S. di Virgilio,
University of Toronto
Email: virgilio@chass.utoronto.ca
[thanks, Paul, for bringing this to E-drug's attention! WB]
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