The following is a list of the major pharmaceutical companies and a summary of the assistance programs they have. For further information on any of these programs, contact the company directly or go to Partnership for Prescription Assistance website.
This program offers medication, free of charge, for up to one year. It is mostly for the uninsured but they will give consideration if purchasing medication causes a financial hardship, even if you have insurance. You can visit Merck’s site and download an application or call 1-800-727-5400. Merck will send medications directly to the patient’s home.
Merck also offers a prescription discount program for people without prescription coverage. There is a selected list of medications available and savings should be around 15% to 20% off retail price. There are no income or age restrictions although you must be a resident of the U.S. to be eligible. You can download an certificate to receive 10% off, enroll online or request an enrollment form be mailed to you. There is no cost for enrollment.
Pfizer’s has a discount program that is available to anyone without prescription insurance and a program that offers free medication to the uninsured, if they meet eligibility requirements. You are able to download the application on their website or call 1-866-776-3700. Once approved, medication will be sent to your doctor’s office each month.
Pfizer also offers a program called “Pfizer’s Pfriends” which is a prescription discount program available to those without prescription insurance. Savings should be between 15% and 50% off retail price. The benefits are based on income and family status. There is no fee to enroll in the program. You can enroll online or call 1-866-8776-3700.
Novartis offers prescription assistance to those that do not have prescription insurance, are US citizens and can prove income eligibility. On their site, each medication included in the program is listed and there is a link for enrollment after each medication. Medications are shipped to your physician. For some medications, you might receive a pharmacy card to fill a prescription each month. A small co-payment is required for these medications. You can call Novartis at 1-800-277-2254 or visit their website.
