The Big Drug Companies That Take ActionTo Help Those That Need Medications

I usually hear others speaking of 'The Big Drug Companies", in a negative way. They are the bureaucrats, the big boys, only out for the buck. They are feeding America pills and more pills. They hire beautiful, handsome, young and intelligent sales staff that interact mainly with the Physicians, sampling them the newest medication out; and explaining what the drug does, how it works physiologically, the studies, and outcomes of those studies. Which are always very positive.

It is a fantastic fact that we now live in a world that has eradicated many diseases, due to selfless and hardworking scientists, and researchers, that devoted their lives to finding the cures for many illnesses; that used to kill thousands and thousands of people. This is a great age of discovery, look at Viagra and how that has changed the lives of many men and their significant others. When the side-effects of other illnesses call for help, it is wonderful to know that there are great medications available to take care of some bothersome side effects.

Some may moan about the 'Big Boys' in the drug companies, and all the profits they make, and yes, purchasing medication cash pay is a real eye-opener and one wonders why? Yet these companies also make a point in helping those less fortunate, which includes so many of us Chronically Ill patients. It hits us, because more often than not, we are either under-insured, or non-insured. We have to pay cash, or a very big medical payment; and if one is 'lucky' enough to be labeled with the dreaded "Pre-Existing Conditions", that person is a real risk to the insurers, and finding medication coverage is very hard.

It may surprise you, as it did me, that two very big and prominent drug companies have programs to help those with a financial need in paying for their medications. GlaxoSmithKline has two programs, one named, "Bridges to Access", BridgesToAccess.gsk.com; and also their "Commitment to Access", CommitmentToAccess.gsk.com, program.

The second company is AstraZeneca. This page takes you straight to all the information you need about qualifying for the Free Medication Program called 'AZ & me": http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/help-affording-your-medicines . In this program, if a single household brings home 30,000 or less, you are probably eligible.

The third and last I'd like to suggest is 'The Patient Assistance Program' through Pfizer, called "Connection to Care." www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx
This page takes you straight to where you can look up programs available, and medications they make.

You have nothing to lose in checking these sites out, you may be soon receiving a package in the mail with a 90-day supply of your needed medication(s) you can't afford, or your doctor will call you, and the med will be there ready to be picked up. Certain meds are shipped to homes, other classes of meds to your doctor's office; and it is different policy between the 3 companies which meds get shipped to your doctor's office.

You will get so much information from the websites to be armed with plenty of information when you next see your doctor. Most physicians offices have this program set up, and have the starting paperwork there, some do not, and these may be the smaller area physicians, or a small office not affiliated with a big Hospital. The benefit of going into your doctor with all this information will just make the application process easier. You will know if your med is on the list, and if not, check with your doctor's office just to be sure that a call from them may make a difference. You will know how the application process is handled, and you will know what a patient advocate is. This will be the most important person between you and the drug companies. This is usually a designated person in the doctors office that takes care of medications, this person will probably be your advocate. Your advocate works with the companies, and you, so that all the proper paperwork has been filled out, the Prescription sent in from your doctor with the paperwork, and they make sure that you are always okay on your meds while all the paperwork gets processed.

Once you are on the program, the companies will ask you yearly for your IncomeTaxes, and to fill out a new form, and you are set for another year!

I do hope that this helps some of you out, and maybe it will give a new ray of sunshine to our attitudes regarding the 'Big Drug Companies!" After all, giving free, brand-name medication that people need, is a great step in mending this attitude, and at the same time, be doing a great service to the millions of under-and uninsured.

I wish you a low or no pain day....