How can I afford it?
By Frank E. Goldman, PharmD.
The growing number of people seeking inexpensive or free prescription medicines is a result of millions losing jobs and health insurance triggered by the economic downturn.
One recent survey found one-in-five Americans has gone without medication, split pills or skipped doses - risking their health or even their lives.
That doesn't have to be the case. Hundreds of programs - some little known - offer medicines free, or at a discount.
Virtually all assistance programs have income limitations and other rules, require jumping through quite a few hoops, but several have eased eligibility requirements because of the recession, even though they've seen a surge in applicants.
The following websites are a few that offer patient assistance.
These sites usually offer an online application, information about government and other assistance programs, a search function to find programs for specific drugs, and links to patient groups and other sites on diseases.
Help can also be given to people with health insurance who have cancer or other complex illnesses that can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year, or when they have special circumstances.
Don't accept rejection as final. Sometimes, writing a letter detailing why a medication is so important, or applying to additional programs, brings success.
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