Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Welcome back! I hope this blog is providing helpful information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to take a closer look at pharmaceutical assistance programs which can help pay for cancer treatment medications regardless of which state you reside in.

There are a few avenues to reduce your out of pocket costs for cancer treatment medications.  Most pharmaceutical manufacturing companies offer financial assistance to eligible patients. Income eligibility guidelines are more generous in these programs than in state and federal assistance plans. Patients with Medicaid may not qualify for these plans unless your plan does not pay for your treatment medication.

If you have questions regarding financial assistance for your prescription medications, talk with your cancer treatment team. They may already have a process in place for pharmaceutical assistance. If this is not the case, ask your provider for the name of the company that makes your prescribed medications.

For an overall list of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and their websites, go to:

https://www.phrma.org/about/members

Each company offers different resources. Some offer co-pay assistance for patients with insurance as well as prescription savings program for uninsured or Medicare patients.  Finding the financial assistance programs takes a little digging. Here are a few common links and phone numbers:

Amgen- (1-888-427-7478)   https://www.amgenassist360.com/patient/

Astra Zeneca- (1-800-292-6363)    https://www.astrazeneca-us.com/medicines/Affordability.html

Bristol Myers Squibb- (1-800-721-8909)   https://www.bms.com/patient-and-caregivers/get-help-paying-for-your-medicines.html

Genentech- (1-877-436-3683)   https://www.gene.com/patients/financial-support

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson- (877-227-3728)    https://www.janssen.com/us/patient-resources/support-programs

Merck- (1-800-727-5400)    https://www.merckhelps.com/

Novartis- (1-800-282-7630)  https://www.patient.novartisoncology.com/financial-assistance/pano/

Pfizer- (1-877-744-5675)     https://www.pfizeroncologytogether.com/hcp/enrollment-forms-resources

Sanofi- (1-888-847-4877)   https://www.sanofipatientconnection.com/

The application process for pharmaceutical assistance programs is simple. You will need to complete a 3-4 page application, and your cancer treatment provider will need to complete and sign prescribing forms. Your provider’s office can fax both to the assistance program.

If you do not have access to a computer, make a call to the program. The representatives will find the best assistance for you. Call them. They want to help!

I hope this information is helpful.  If you would like to continue this conversation, please click on the Subscribe button at the top of the Blog page. I would love to hear your comments as well as resources that have worked for you. Please share this information with your family and friends.

Keeping you in my prayers,

Jackie

For introductory information and to understand the mission of this blog, please see the Introduction at Introduction | Living with cancer take my hand