They are called Patient Assistance programs and they are the pro Bono mechanisms of pharmaceutical companies.

These are programs that drug companies use to offer free drugs to those that cannot afford them.

The criterion matters from company to company but the gist of it is.

1. You must not have prescription drug coverage of any kind

2. You must pass their income requirements which are unknown( they decide) and

3. Both you and your doctor must fill out an application form

4. Usually if you are accepted into these programs, they will give you a 90 refillable drug regimen for a whole year then you have to reapply.

For those of us who are low income and cannot afford our medications, this is a life saver that gets us the drugs we need to manage our Diabetes  effectively. I have used some of these and they help tremendously

Abbott Labs

The Abbott patient Assistance program

Website: http://www.abbottpatientassistancefoundation.org

Phone: 800 222 6885

Fax:  866-898-1473

Address: PO Box 270. Somerville NJ 08876

Program details:

The Program does not offer disclose details of their eligibility requirements, for Income but you must not have insurance coverage for the meter and testing supplies.

Anyone can apply and after the application, the patient is informed if they qualify

A doctor must fill out a section, sign and provide information on testing requirements

The patient fills out another section and attaches proof of income and denial letter from Medicaid if necessary.

This program provides one meter, testing strips and lancets to the qualified for 1 year. It is reviewable annually after that

You can download the application on the website

Medications in the program

Freestyle Lite (lancets)
FreeStyle Lite (glucose meter)
FreeStyle Lite (glucose test strips)
Precision Xtra (lancets)
Precision Xtra (glucose meter)
Precision Xtra (glucose test strips)

Takeda Pharmaceuticals America

Takeda Patient Assistance Program

http://www.tpna.com/responsibility/patient_assistance_program.aspx

Phone: 800-830-9159

Fax: 800-497-0928

Address: P.O. Box 66552 St. Louis, MO 63166

Program Details

The patience cannot have prescription coverage

Patient has to be ineligible for state or federal programs

The patient has to be at or below the 300% HHS poverty level

Medicare part D patients are considered

Both the doctor and the patient have to fill out the application, the doctor will attach a prescription and the patient will attach proof of income.

A 90 day supply is sent to the patient or the doctor’s office

Annually the patient has to fill out an application and provide proof of income to stay eligible.

An application is available on their website

Medications on the program

ACTOS Tablets (pioglitazone) 15mg, 30mg, 45mg

ACTOplus met 15mg/500mg tablet and 15mg/850mg tablet (pioglitazone + metformin)

Xubex

http://www.xubex.com

Customer Service   (866)699-8239

Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm

Offers assistance to qualified individuals for generic medications through its innovative program

A licensed pharmacist in the United States fills all prescriptions with the same medications available from your local pharmacy.

There is no cost to join and no monthly fees. All medications are shipped discreetly to your home, office or trusted family member.

The focus is to provide families and qualified individuals of all ages with access to prescription medications.

Their service ensures low-cost, predictable pharmaceutical services.

Medications offered

1. A free diabetes kit from Bayer

2. Discounted Diabetes supplies

3. Discounted Diabetes Medication

4. Free Diabetes Medication for those who qualify

5. Free Diabetes Supplies for those who qualify

Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals

Sanofi-Aventis U.S. Patient Assistance Program

https://patientassistanceprogram.sanofi aventis.us/brand/sanofiaventis pap.aspx

Phone: 800 221- 4025 option 2

Fax: 866 734 – 7372

Address: PO Box 759 Somerville, NJ 08876

Program Requirements

The program is open for US residents only and the patient must not qualify for any government prescription coverage like Medicare or VA

If the patient has Medicare part D and still cannot afford their medications they can apply as well

The patient cannot have any private prescription coverage

The patient must be at or up to 250% under the federal poverty level guidelines

The application form must be filled out by both patient and doctor

They provide up to a 90 day supply and refills can be made to an automated number

Patient has to reapply annually

Medications covered:

Amaryl Tablets (glimepiride) 1mg, 2mg, 4mg

Lantus

Lantus (solar star pen)

GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline Bridges to Access

http://www.bridgestoaccess.com

Phone: 866-728-4368

Address: PO Box 29038 Phoenix, AZ 85038-9038

The program is open for US residents only and the patient must not qualify for any government prescription coverage like Medicare or VA

If the patient has Medicare part D and still cannot afford their medications they can apply as well

The patient cannot have any private prescription coverage

The patient must be at or up to 250% under the federal poverty level guidelines

The application form must be filled out by both patient and doctor

They provide up to a 90 day supply and refills can be made to an automated number

Patient has to reapply annually

Medications covered: Avandia Tablets (rosiglitazone maleate) 2mg, 4mg, 8mg

Pfizer, Inc.

Pfizer Connection to Care

http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/Programs/

Phone: 866 706 – 2400

Address: PO Box 66585 St. Louis, MO 63166-6585

The program is open for US residents only and the patient must not qualify for any government prescription coverage like Medicare or VA

If the patient has Medicare part D and still cannot afford their medications they can apply as well

The patient cannot have any private prescription coverage

The patient must be at or up to 200% under the federal poverty level guidelines

The application form must be filled out by both patient and doctor

They provide up to a 90 day supply and refills can be made to an automated number

Patient has to reapply annually

Medications covered:

Glucotrol Tablets (glipizide) 5mg, 10mg

Glynase PresTab Tablets (glyburide) 1.5mg, 3mg, 6mg

Glynase PresTab (micronized glyburide)

Glyset Tablets (miglitol) 25mg, 50mg, 100mg

Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Novo Nordisk Diabetes Patient Assistance Program

http://www.novonordisk us.com/documents/article_page/document/diab_pap.asp

Phone: 866 310-7549

Fax: 866 441-4190

The program is open for US residents only and the patient must not qualify for any government prescription coverage like Medicare or VA

If the patient has Medicare part D and still cannot afford their medications they can apply as well

Patients over 65 are not eligible, whether on Medicare or not

The patient cannot have any private prescription coverage

The patient must be at or up to 200% under the federal poverty level guidelines

The application form must be filled out by both patient and doctor

They provide up to a 90 day supply and refills can be made to an automated number

Patient has to reapply annually

Medications on this program

Prandin (repaglinide) 0.5mg
Prandin (repaglinide) 1mg
Prandin (repaglinide) 2mg

Novolog

Novolog Flex Pen

Novolog Mix 70/30

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals

Bayer Patient Assistance Program for Precose

Phone: 866-575-5002

Fax: 866-575-6568

Address:  6 West Belt, W66 Wayner, NJ 07470-6806

Program Details

The program is open for US residents only and the patient must not qualify for any government prescription coverage like Medicare or VA

If the patient has Medicare part D and still cannot afford their medications they can apply as well

The patient cannot have any private prescription coverage

The patient must be at or up to 200% under the federal poverty level guidelines

The application form must be filled out by both patient and doctor

They provide up to a 90 day supply sent to the doctor and refills thereafter

A patient in any Government, Private or State prescription Programs or employee, VA, retirement, or pension program drug coverage is not eligible for this program.

Pharmacy discount cards or other patient assistance programs are not considered coverage.

Patient has to reapply annually

Medicines Covered

Precose Tablets (acarbose) 25mg, 50mg, 100mg

ELI LILLY & COMPANY

Lilly Cares

http://www.lillycares.com

Phone: 1 800 545-6962

Address: PO Box 230999 Centerville, VA 20120

Program details (from lillycares.com)

How does the program work?

• The Lilly Cares program has a 12-month enrollment period for eligible patients.
• Lilly cares generally ships a 4-month supply of medication unless a lesser amount is requested by the prescriber.
• After the process of reviewing your complete application, your physician will receive your medications in approximately 3-4 weeks. Your prescriber will dispense your medication to you.
• The prescriber must request refills for you by using the Fax Refill Request Form, which is enclosed with each medication order.

Eligibility
Eligibility is based on your inability to pay and the lack of third-party prescription payment assistance, such as insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, government, or community program. Basic eligibility requirements are as follows:

• You must be a U.S. resident
• Your income must be below certain levels, based on the number of people in the household (for example: $33,000 or less for one person, $44,000 for a family of two, or $67,000 for a family of four). Income limits depend on family size, and may be higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
• You must not have any other prescription drug coverage (private insurance, Medicaid, VA, Medicare Part D, etc.)

If you do not have the listed income documentation (see below) or your financial situation has changed from your last tax filing and you believe that you may currently qualify for Lilly Cares, please contact the Lilly Cares program.

How do I get an application?
Blank applications may be downloaded from this web site, or arrangements to receive an application by mail or fax may be made by calling 1–800–545–6962.

How to apply?

• Applications have both a patient section and a physician section, and both you and your physician must complete and sign your individual sections.
• You must supply current proof of income
• Mail application to:

Lilly Cares
PO Box 230999
Centreville, VA 20120

What is Acceptable Proof of Income?

• First page of your federal tax return for prior tax year. (1040 or 1040EZ tax form)
• Any other source of income(examples include: Social Security income, pensions, unemployment, alimony, food stamps)

Medications Covered

Humalog® (insulin lispro injection, [rDNA origin])

Humalog® Mix50/50™ (50% insulin lispro protamine suspension, 50% insulin lispro injection [rDNA origin])

Humalog® Mix75/25™ (75% insulin lispro protamine suspension, 25% insulin lispro injection [rDNA origin])

Humulin® 50/50 (50%human insulin isophane suspension, 50% human insulin injection [rDNA origin])

Humulin® 70/30(70% human insulin isophane suspension, 30% human insulin injection [rDNA origin])

Humulin N® (NPH human insulin [rDNA origin] isophane suspension)

Humulin R® (regular insulin human injection, USP [rDNA Origin])