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Drug Assistance Programs from Pharmaceutical Companies
Dr. Robert J. Ignoffo, Clinical Professor, UCSF and Jean Longtin, PharmD, UCSF

Amgen: Safety net®and Reimbursement Connection®
Bayer Indigent Patient Program

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program

DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Program
Genentech: Uninsured Patient Assistance Program of Genentech

Genetics Institute: Neumega® Access Program
Glaxo Wellcome Patient Assistance Program

Hoechst Marion Roussel Indigent Patient Program
The Anzemet Patient Assistance Program
and the Anzemet Reimbursement Program

Janssen Patient Assistance Program


Lilly Cares Program
Gemzar ® Patient Assistance Program
Financial Assistance Program for ABELCET ®

The Merck Patient Assistance Program

Novartis Patient Assistance Program
Ortho Biotech Procrit Line

Parke-Davis Patient Assistance Program
Pfizer Prescription Assistance
Deflucan ® and Zithromax ® Patient Assistance Program
Sharing the Care Program

Pharmacia& Upjohn RxMAP Prescription Medication Assistance Program

Procter& Gamble Pharmaceuticals
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Patient Assistance Program

Roche Medical Needs Program
Roche Medical Needs Program for
Roferon ® -A (Interferon alpha-2a, recombinant),
Vesanoid ® (tretinoin),and Fluorouracil Injection


Roxane Laboratories Patient Assistance Program
Sanofi Needy Patient Program

Schering Laboratories Key Pharmaceuticals Commitment to Care Program
Searle Patients in Need®Foundation

SmithKline Beecham Access to Care Program

3M Pharmaceuticals Indigent Patient Pharmaceutical Program
Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Indigent Patient Program

Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Foundation Patient Assistance Program


Most pharmaceutical companies run programs aimed to facilitate the accessibility to needed medications for patient who are in financial difficulties and are not eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. These programs have different requirements and require the physician to register the patient. Programs are evolving rapidly, so I enjoin you to consult the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) web site (www.phrma.org) for an updated and complete Directory of Prescription Drug Patient Assistance Programs. You may call the company that makes the drug you need assistance on and inquire about the procedure necessary in your case. In addition, the Ida & Joseph Friend Cancer Resource Center at UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center provides the Ask The Pharmacist: Free Drop-in Consultation with Zoe Ngo, PharmD. For more information, contact 415.885.3693

Amgen: Safety net® Program for Neupogen®
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SAFETY NET ® Program for NEUPOGEN®
Products covered by program: NEUPOGEN® ( Filgrastim ) Program is designed to assist those patients who are medically indigent (patients may be uninsured or underinsured). Eligibility is based on patient's insurance status and income level. To enroll a patient, providers should contact the Amgen SAFETY NET® Program by calling (800) 272-9376.
Aranesp®, Neulasta®,EPOGEN®Sensipar®Enbrel®Kepivance®,Kineret®

Bayer Indigent Patient Program
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Bayer Indigent Patient Program
Products covered by program: Most Bayer pharmaceutical prescription medications used as recommended in prescribing information Physician Requests Should Be Directed To Bayer Indigent Program
PO Box 29209 Phoenix, Arizona 85038-9209 (800) 998-9180

Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation
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Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc.
Physician requests should be directed to:
Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, Inc.
c/o Express Scripts Specialty Distribution Services, Inc.
PO Box 66555
St. Louis, MO 63166-6555
800-556-8317 (phone)

Product(s) covered by program:
AGGRENOX® ATROVENT®, CATAPRES-TTS®, COMBIVENT®, FLOMAX®, MICARDIS®, MICARDIS HCT®, MIRAPEX®, MOBIC®, SPIRIVA®, VIRAMUNE®

Eligibility to be determined solely by BIPI. Patient must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident ineligible for prescription drug assistance through Medicaid or private insurance. Patient must meet established financial criteria.

Other Information:
All requests are reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. Application form, prescription, and patient's income documentation are required. Maximum of three-month supply may be provided per request. Complete financial re-application is required annually. Renewal requests within the same year require only the application form and a prescription. Program is subject to change without notice. Current program specifics can be obtained by calling (800) 556-8317 or by contacting www.RxHope.com or www.helpingpatients.org.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program
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Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: Many Bristol-Myers Squibb pharmaceutical products Physician requests should be directed to
Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Program P.O. Box 4500 Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2500 Mailcode P25-31 (800) 332-2056; (609) 897-6859 (fax)
Eligibility: This program is designed to provide temporary assistance to patients with a financial hardship who are not eligible for prescription drug coverage through Medicaid or any other public or private health program.

DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Program
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DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: All marketed non-controlled prescription Physician requests should be directed to Michelle Paoli, Du Pont Merck Pharmaceutical Company
PO Box 80723 Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0723 (800) 474-2762
Eligibility is based on the patient's insurance status and income level/assets. Patients should have exhausted all third-party insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and all other available programs

Genentech: Uninsured Patient Assistance Program of Genentech
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Uninsured Patient Assistance Program of Genentech
Products covered by program: Actimmune® (interferon gamma-lb), Activase® (alteplase recombinant), Protropin® (somatrem for injection), Nutropin® (somatropin for injection), Nutropin AQ® (somatropin for injection), Rituxan® (rituximab)
Physician requests should be directed to Genentech, Inc. PO Box 2586 Mail Stop #13 S. San Francisco, California 94083-2586 (800) 879-2747, (415) 225-1366 (fax)

Genetics Institute: Neumega® Access Program
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Neumega ® Access Program (Genetics Institute inc.)
Product covered by program: Neumega ® (oprelvekin) Physician requests should be directed to The Neumega ® Access Program (888) NEUMEGA (638-6342) Eligibility: For uninsured and underinsured patients who have limited financial resources.

Glaxo Wellcome Patient Assistance Program
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Glaxo Wellcome Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: All marketed Glaxo Wellcome prescription products Physician requests should be directed to Glaxo Wellcome Inc. Patient Assistance Program PO Box 52185 Phoenix, Arizona 85072-2185 1-866.728.4368, (800) 750-9832 (fax) Additional Program Information Can be found at Helix.com www.Helix.com Eligibility: Glaxo Wellcome is dedicated to assuring that no one is denied access to our marketed prescription products as a result of their inability to pay.

Hoechst Marion Roussel Indigent Patient Program
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Hoechst Marion Roussel Indigent Patient Program
Products covered by program: All prescription products manufactured by Hoechst Marion Roussel, except Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Tenuate Anzemet is covered by another program. Physician requests should be directed to Indigent Patient Program, Hoechst Marion Roussel, Inc. PO Box 9950 Kansas City, Missouri 64134-0950 (800) 221-2025
The Anzemet Patient Assistance Program and the Anzemet Reimbursement Program (HMR)
Physician requests should be directed to Anzemet Patient Assistance Program c/o Comprehensive Reimbursement Consultants (CRC) 8990 Springbrook Drive, Suite 200 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55433 (888) 259-2219

Janssen Patient Assistance Program
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Janssen Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: Janssen's medical prescription products [Duragesic ® (fentanyl transdermal), Ergamisol® (levamisole), Imodium ® (loperamide), Nizoral ® Cream( ketaconazole cream), Nizoral® Shampoo ( ketaconazole shampoo), Nizoral ® Tablet ( ketaconazole tablet), Propulsid ® (cisapride), Sporanox ® ( itraconazole), Vermox ® (mebendazole) Physician requests should be directed to Janssen Patient Assistance Program 1800 Robert Fulton Drive Reston, Virginia 22091-2346 (800) 544-2987

Lilly Cares Program
Gemzar ® Patient Assistance Program
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Lilly Cares Program
Products covered by program: Most Lilly prescription products and insulins (except controlled substances). Gemzar ® is covered under a separate program. Physician requests should be directed to Lilly Cares Program Administrator, Eli Lilly and Company PO Box 25768 Alexandria, Virginia 22313, (800) 545-6962
Gemzar ® Patient Assistance Program
Product covered by program Gemzar ® (gemcitabine hydrochloride) Physician requests should be directed to Gemzar ® Reimbursement Hotline (888) 4-GEMZAR (888-243-6927)
Financial Assistance Program for ABELCET ®
Product covered by program ABELCET ® (amphotericin B lipid complex injection) Physician requests should be directed to Financial Assistance Program for ABELCET ® The Liposome Company, Inc. One Research Way, Princeton, New Jersey 08540-6619 (800) 335-5476

The Merck Patient Assistance Program
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The Merck Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: Most Merck products. Requests for vaccines and injectables are not accepted, with the exception of requests for anti-cancer injectable products. Physician requests should be directed to The Merck Patient Assistance Program -- Health care professionals with prescribing privileges may call (800) 994-2111

Novartis Patient Assistance Program
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Novartis Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: Certain single source and/or life-sustaining products. Controlled substances are not included. Physician requests should be directed to Novartis Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program PO Box 52052 Phoenix, Arizona 85072-9170 (800) 257-3273

Ortho Biotech Procrit Line
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Procrit Line Ortho Biotech
Products covered by program: Procrit® (Epoetin alfa) for non-dialysis use, LEUSTATIN ® (cladribine) Injection Physician requests should be directed to Ortho Biotech Procrit Line (800) 553-3851 or http://www.procrit.com

Parke-Davis Patient Assistance Program
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Parke-Davis Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program Accupril, Cognex, Dilantin, Loestrin, Neurontin, Rezulin, and Zarontin Physician requests should be directed to The Parke-Davis Patient Assistance Program PO Box 1058 Somerville, New Jersey 08876 (908) 725-1247

Pfizer Prescription Assistance
Diflucan® and Zithromax® Patient Assistance Program
Sharing the Care Program

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Pfizer Prescription Assistance
Products covered by program: Most Pfizer outpatient products with chronic indications are covered by this program. Diflucan ® and Zithromax ® are covered by a separate program. Physician requests should be directed to Pfizer Prescription Assistance P.O. Box 25457 Alexandria, Virginia 22313-5457 (800) 646-2455
Diflucan ® and Zithromax ® Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program Diflucan ® (fluconazole) and Zithromax ® (azithromycin) Physician requests should be directed to Diflucan ® and Zithromax ® Patient Assistance Program (800) 869-9979
Sharing the Care Program
Products covered by program: Certain Pfizer single-source products Requests should be directed to Sharing the Care Program, Pfizer Inc, 235 E. 42nd Street New York, New York 10017-5755 (800) 984-1500

Pharmacia& Upjohn RxMAP Prescription Medication Assistance Program
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RxMAP Prescription Medication Assistance Program (PHARMACIA & UPJOHN)
Products covered by program: Numerous Pharmacia&UpJohn products Physician requests should be directed to RxMAP, PO Box 29043, Phoenix, Arizona 85038 (800) 242-7014

Procter& Gamble Pharmaceuticals
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Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals
Products covered by program: Alora, Asacol, Dantrium Capsules, Didronel, Helidac, Macrodantin, Macrobid Physician requests should be directed to Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc. PO Box 231 Norwich, New York 13815 Attn: Customer Service Department (800) 448-2878

Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Patient Assistance Program
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Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: All products are included, with some limitations Physician requests should be directed to Medical Affairs / Patient Assistance Program Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc. PO Box 5094, 500 Arcola Road Mailstop #4C29 Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426-0998 (610) 454-8110, (610) 454-2102 (fax)

Roche Medical Needs Program
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Roche Medical Needs Program
Products covered by program: Roche product line with some exceptions Physician requests should be directed to Roche Medical Needs Program Roche Laboratories, Inc. 340 Kingsland Street Nutley, New Jersey 07110 (800) 285-2484
Roche Medical Needs Program for Roferon ® -A (Interferon alpha-2a, recombinant), Vesanoid ® (tretinoin),and Fluorouracil Injection
Physician requests should be directed to Oncoline?/Hepline? Reimbursement Hotline (800) 443-6676 (press 2 or 3)

Roxane Laboratories Patient Assistance Program
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Roxane Laboratories Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: Duraclon; Marinol ® (dronabinol) Capsules 2.5 mg; Oramorph SR ® (morphine sulfate sustained release) Tablets, 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, and 100 mg; Roxanol® (morphine sulfate concentrated oral solution) 20 mg/mL and 120 mL bottles; Roxanol 100® (morphine sulfate concentrated oral solution) 100 mg/5 mL and 240 mL bottles; Roxicodone (oxycodone) Tablets 5 mg; Oral solution 5 mg/5 mL; Roxicodone Intensol® 20 mg/mL; Viramune ® (nevirapine) Physician requests should be directed to Nexus Healthcare, 4161 Arlingate Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43228 (800) 274-8651

Sanofi Needy Patient Program
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Sanofi Needy Patient Program
Products covered by program: Aralen ®, Breonesin ®, Danocrine ®, Drisdol ®, Hytakerol ®, Mytelase ®, NegGram ®, pHisoHex ®, Plaquenil ®, Primaquine ®, Skelid ®, Photofrin ®, Primacor® Physician requests should be directed to Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Needy Patient Program c/o Product Information Department 90 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10016, (800) 446-6267,

Schering Laboratories Key Pharmaceuticals Commitment to Care Program
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Schering Laboratories Key Pharmaceuticals Commitment to Care Program
Products covered by program: Most Schering/Key prescription drugs. Physician requests should be directed to: For Intron A/Eulexin: (800) 521-7157 For Other Products: Schering Laboratories/ Key Pharmaceuticals Patient Assistance Program, PO Box 52122, Phoenix, Arizona 85072, (800) 656-9485,

Searle Patients in Need®Foundation
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Searle Patients in Need ® Foundation
Products covered by program: Aldactazide ®, Aldactone ®, Calan® SR, Kerlone ®, Calan ®, Covera-HS®, Norpace ®, Norpace ® CR, Cytotec ®, Physician requests should be directed to Administrator, Searle Patients in Need ® Foundation, 5200 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, Illinois 60077, (800) 542-2526, (847) 470-6633 (fax). Or local Searle Sales Representative

SmithKline Beecham Access to Care Program
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SmithKline Beecham Access to Care Program
Products covered by program: Most SmithKline Beecham outpatient prescription products are covered. Controlled substances and vaccines are not covered. Kytril, Hycamtin and Paxil are covered under separate Access to Care programs. (See listings.) Physician requests should be directed to Access to Care Program, SmithKline Beecham, One Franklin Plaza-FPl320, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101, (800) 546-0420
SmithKline Beecham Oncology Access to Care Program
Products covered by program: Kytril (granisetron HCl) and Hycamtin (topotecan HCl) Physician requests should be directed to The Oncology Access to Care Hotline (800) 699-3806

3M Pharmaceuticals Indigent Patient Pharmaceutical Program
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3M Pharmaceuticals Indigent Patient Pharmaceutical Program
Products covered by program: Most drug products sold by 3M Physician requests should be directed to Medical Services Department, 275-2E-13, 3M Center, P.O. Box 33275, St. Paul, Minnesota 55133-3275, (800) 328-0255, (612) 733-6068 (fax)

Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Indigent Patient Program
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Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories Indigent Patient Program
Products covered by program: Various products (not including scheduleII, III, or IV products) Physician requests should be directed to John E. James, Professional Services IPP, 555 E. Lancaster Avenue, St. Davids, Pennsylvania 19087,

Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Foundation Patient Assistance Program
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Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Foundation Patient Assistance Program
Products covered by program: Accolate®, Arimidex®, Casodex®, Kadian®, Nolvadex®, Seroquel®, Sorbitrate®, Sular®, Tenoretic®, Tenormin®, Zestril®, Zoladex®, Zomig®. Physician requests should be directed to Patient Assistance Program, Zeneca Pharmaceuticals Foundation P.O. Box 15197, Wilmington, Delaware 19850-5197. (800) 424-3727

Dr. Robert J. Ignoffo, Clinical Professor, UCSF
Jean Longtin, PharmD




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