Doctors can find cheap or free drugs for patients

Physician groups join drugmakers in promoting a medication assistance clearinghouse for low-income patients.

By David Glendinning, AMNews staff. Oct. 17, 2005.

Washington -- Many physicians are aware that hundreds of public and private programs throughout the U.S. offer free or discounted medications to patients with low incomes. Now several medical organizations and the nation's drug industry are teaming up to let doctors know that they can access many of them in one place.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance launched a major new initiative last month when it began informing doctors directly about an easy way to access these assistance programs. The partnership, a coalition of national, state and local organizations led by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, had focused on getting the information to patients and pharmacies since its launch in April.

Then in September, participating groups initiated a mass mailing to roughly 70,000 primary care physicians informing them that the partnership is a one-stop shop for reduced-cost medicines for their low-income patients. Doctors got brochures, lists of frequently asked questions, special notepads and a waiting room display describing how to access discounts offered by drug makers, private firms, states and the federal government.

Medical groups in the effort, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Emergency Physicians, said targeting doctors is one of the best ways to get the data out to those in need.