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There's good news for the estimated 22 million Americans who lack health insurance. A new program is helping make it possible to get the prescription medication needed to treat such conditions as diabetes, hypertension and depression-free of charge.
The Connection to Care program-a partnership between Pfizer and health care professionals-provides free medicines to low-income uninsured patients. Products available under the program include such leading medications as Lipitor® (for high cholesterol), Neurontin® (for epilepsy), Norvasc® (for high blood pressure and angina) and Zoloft® (for depression).
Under the program guidelines, people are eligible if they have annual incomes of less than $16,000 ($25,000 household incomes for families) and no prescription drug coverage through private insurance or any public assistance program.
"The Connection to Care program, combined with our widely used Sharing the Care initiative and the rapidly growing Pfizer for Living Share Card puts more than 30 Pfizer medications in reach of over 27 million Americans either free or at greatly reduced costs," said Pat Kelly, president, Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals.
To reach as many eligible patients as possible, the company has distributed information on Connection to Care to more than 120,000 physicians and health care centers across the U.S. and set up a toll free number (1-800-707-8990) for doctors and patients to call with enrollment questions.
"I'm excited about what I can do for people. I can do so much more for them than I could 10 or 15 years ago. A large part of that is because of the medicines that are available to me now," said Dr. James Middleton of the Family Medical Center of Munfordville, Ky. "The new Connection to Care program is going to make it easier for me to get my patients the medicines they need."
To be eligible for Connection to Care, patients must have a prescription from their doctor for an approved Pfizer medication, complete an application form and submit copies of their income tax return together with the appropriate supporting financial documents. If approved, patients receive a three-month, renewable supply of the medication through their physician's office.
For more than 30 years, Pfizer has provided medications to help physicians
care for low-income, uninsured patients. In 2001, the company helped approximately
1.4 million patients by providing 2.3 million prescriptions valued at
nearly $345 million. To learn more about the Connection to Care program,
visit www.pfizer.com.
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