What To Do When You Cannot Afford Medications

Unfortunately, many Americans find themselves in situations where they cannot afford medications. There are many reasons for this such as: a) no insurance coverage, b) termination of coverage through workers compensation or no-fault insurance, c) excessively high co-pays combined with a limited ability to pay due to poverty. As a result, many patients assume that there is no way to get the medication they need when this is not necessarily the case. What follows is a list of resources that you, a loved one, or friend can use to obtain the medications you need when limited finances are an obstacle.

1. CONTACT THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY THAT MAKES YOUR MEDICATION

Did you know that many pharmaceutical companies have special programs for those who cannot afford it? Generally, a three-month medication supply is provided. After this time period, a new request is needed just as a new prescription is needed when refills are exhausted. Medications are shipped directly to the patient or physician in about two weeks, but some programs request up to a six-week lead time. The following resources can help you find medication assistance programs:

Partnership for Prescription Assistance: The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medications they need through the public or private program that is right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. Through this site, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offers a single point of access to more than 475 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Patients can determine which programs they may be eligible for by answering questions and using the online application wizard. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, you can call toll-free at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669).

Needy Meds.com: A non-profit organization with the mission of helping people who cannot afford to pay for their medications. Click this link to find patient assistant programs through their website.

2. CHECK IF YOUR STATE HAS A PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Many states have pharmaceutical assistance programs for qualifying residents. Qualifications vary, and some programs are only for senior citizens. The American Association of Retired Persons Foundation (AARP) maintains a state by state list of these programs with contact information. If your state is not listed, try contacting your county health department (check your telephone book) to see if there are other programs in your particular state or county.

3. CONSIDER GENERIC INSTEAD OF BRAND NAME MEDICATIONS

After a certain period of time, pharmaceutical companies must allow other companies to produce their medication. Generic medications must have the same active ingredients as the name brand, but the inactive ingredients could be different. Inactive ingredients may include colors, preservatives, or other fillers. A pharmaceutical company that wishes to sell their generic medication must prove to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it is equivalent (known as "bioequivalent") to the brand name medication. To be bioequivalent, the active ingredients in a generic medication must be absorbed at a similar rate and in a similar amount as the brand name medication. The generic does not have to act exactly the same as the brand name medication, but it does have to fall within certain guidelines set by the FDA. These guidelines may vary from medication to medication.

To be sure that the generic medication you are offered has been established as bioequivalent to the brand name, always check with your pharmacist. Your pharmacist has access to information about generic medications from the FDA's Orange Book. The Orange Book contains listings of medications and their bioequivalency status. The electronic version of the Orange Book is searchable by active ingredient and brand name.

If your doctor has written a prescription for a medication using the brand name for that medication, the pharmacist must fill it with that specific medication. The pharmacist can call your doctor and talk about substituting a generic form of the medication. Alternatively, you can talk with your doctor about generic vs. prescription medications when the prescription is written.

Generic versions are not available for all brand name medications, but it is worth asking your doctor about this since it can save you significant money. For more information on generic medication, see the website of the Office of Generic Medications from the FDA.

4. ASK FOR FREE SAMPLES

If there is no generic version of your medication available, ask if your health care provider has samples of the medication. Many doctors are given free samples of commonly used medications by drug company representatives. This is not a long-term solution, but a few samples might be able to hold you over until a real solution is found.

5. LOOK INTO PILL SPLITTING

You may be able to save money by purchasing your medication in a double dose and splitting the pills. Again, you will need to discuss this possibility with your health care provider. This approach cannot be used with all medications.

6. ASK FOR LONGER PRESCRIPTION INTERVALS

Instead of getting a prescription filled that will only last 30 days, you can request one that will last for 60 to 90 days if you anticipate future financial hardship or termination of insurance benefits. Your health care provider's willingness to do this will depend on the type of medication. For example, this request will be more likely to be granted for an anti-depressant medication than a narcotic pain reliever, due to the addicting qualities.

7. CONSIDER APPLYING FOR MEDICAID

Medicaid is a health insurance program funded at the federal (national) and state level for individuals and families with low incomes and resources. The application process, eligibility requirements, and coverage policies vary from state to state. In some states, people who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify for Medicaid. It is best to contact the Medicaid agency in your state for an application and any questions you may have, particularly about whether or not Medicaid covers prescriptions in your state. Your local Department of Social Service (check your telephone book) may be able to help you with the process. In New York state, the website for Medicaid is found here. In Syracuse (Onondaga County), the contact information for Department of Social Services is Onondaga County Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street , Syracuse, New York 13202-2923 (phone: 315-435-2928).