by William Abramson, M.D.
[February 1996; Vol. 23 No. 1]
For those of our patients who cannot afford the psychotropic and other medications that we prescribe, there is help. Under the auspices of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, a trade organization of drug companies, there are more than 50 drug companies in the United States that are willing to provide at least some of their prescription medications free to people who meet certain eligibility requirements.
While those requirements may vary from company to company, generally the programs are established to provide assistance to low income individuals or families who lack health insurance and who are ineligible for either Medicare or Medicaid.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association has published a directory of the companies that participate in this program. The directory is entitled: 1995 Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs. You can obtain a copy of the directory by calling this number: 1-800-PMA-INFO (762-4636).
By calling this number and providing your name, phone number, and mailing address in response to the recorded message, you can expect to receive your copy of the directory in approximately one week. On behalf of our indigent patients who might otherwise be deprived of the proper psychopharmacologic treatment they need, this assistance program is too good to pass up.