Pricing prescription drugs.

• Position: Trends And Transitions - Rx Outreach, Together Rx Access

Citizens with low incomes, including those age 18 to 64, can get discounted prescription drugs through two new programs--Rx Outreach and Together Rx Access. They are part of a growing list of special programs developed by the pharmaceutical industry to lower drug costs for those who can least afford them.

Rx Outreach is a new patient assistance program (with an extremely simple application form) developed by Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services. It offers 35 generic medications at affordable prices to anyone with an income under 250 percent of the federal poverty level ($23,275 for singles and $31,225 for couples). The medicines available are useful for many chronic conditions.

Together Rx Access provides a discount card for uninsured people of modest means who are younger than 65 and have no public or private coverage for drug costs. Launched by 10 pharmaceutical manufacturers in January, the program is aimed at people earning at or below $30,000 for an individual, $40,000 for a couple, $50,000 for a family of three and $60,000 for a family of four. The new program offers savings on 275 name-brand drugs for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heartburn and ulcers, depression and erectile dysfunction...