Drug assistance from drug makers.

• Author: Hanson, Karmen

Although money problems are limiting the development of new, large scale, state pharmaceutical assistance programs, some legislators are finding out what can be done at little or no state expense.

Prescription drug costs run into the billions, but legislators are finding ways to help low income and elderly people by leveraging free drugs from pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Most major drug companies have their own free drug programs or patient assistance programs (PAPs) to help low income seniors. Some have been operating since the 1950s, when information about the programs was funneled through doctors. Now there are hundreds of them. They are publicized online and in magazines, and people can readily find applications at doctors' offices.

The 48-member companies of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) provided more than $2.3 billion in mostly brand name medicines through these programs last year. Each program differs by manufacturer, but usually requires that patients meet strict qualifications, such as chronic conditions and incomes below $16,000 a year. PhRMA's booklet listing the programs is widely distributed and readily available online.

LEGISLATORS GET INVOLVED

Lawmakers are turning to these free drug programs to help their constituents at a time when tight state budgets are limiting expansion of subsidized or discount pharmaceutical programs run by about 30 states.

Some states are distributing information about the free programs, staffing offices and call centers to answer questions, and often assisting seniors with the application process. Some states have worked to create a single application process aimed at simplifying the maze of more than 130 different manufacturers' programs.

The programs cost money, but the benefits far outstrip the investment. Alabama will spend $1.5 million this year and $1.2 million next year to help elderly citizens apply for the free drugs. Run through the Department of Senior Services, the Alabama SenioRx program has so far saved state residents more than $10 million.

"We have had tremendous success partnering with the pharmaceutical industry to provide the latest medicines, particularly for our elderly," says Alabama Senator Lowell Barron, who is a pharmacist.

In Hawaii, there is a new public-private effort to get Out information. The Prescription Care Hawaii program is funded in part by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. As many as 20,000 seniors are expected to...