Uninsured to get break on drugs

[InnaBB]

Millions of uninsured Americans could save money on prescriptions under a discount program 10 major drug makers unveiled Tuesday.

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/bus ... drugs.html

[thinker]

та ссылка вроде "пустая"

[yelenna]

Сушествует много различных discount programs, по которым можно покупать лекарства по низким ценам непосредственно у производителей, например, Together Rx Access (<65 let) и Together Rx(>65лет)
http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/
http://www.togetherrx.com/

[InnaBB]

та ссылка вроде "пустая"

А у меня открывается нормально.
Ниже привожу текст по ссылке.

Uninsured to get break on drugs
Industry to offer discounts

By SAM HANANEL
Associated Press
Published on: 01/12/05
WASHINGTON — Millions of uninsured Americans could save money on prescriptions under a discount program 10 major drug makers unveiled Tuesday.
The Together Rx Access Card program allows those who meet income and age requirements to save 25 percent to 40 percent — sometimes more — on more than 275 brand-name prescription drugs and a host of generics.


The program is the latest in a trend by drug manufacturers to offer their own discount cards to those without health care coverage who struggle to pay skyrocketing prices.
"It's free to get, it's free to use and the savings are real," said Roba Whitely, executive director of Together Rx Access.
Consumer groups have called similar discount cards a way for drug companies, rather than the government, to control who saves money and how much is saved. The cards offer some savings from already-high prices while attracting new customers for the companies' products.
"I think what these drug companies are doing is very commendable and it will be of benefit to people who are uninsured," said Ron Pollack, executive director of the health care reform group Families USA. "Of course, it's nowhere near being an adequate substitute for our nation making a real commitment to expanding coverage for the 45 million who don't have coverage today."
From cost to safety, the U.S. pharmaceutical industry's image has been under siege. As drug prices continue to soar, members of Congress have called for allowing importation of drugs from Canada, where they are less expensive. The safety issue exploded with the withdrawal of painkiller Vioxx, and the industry has been accused of skewing research. So the discount card may provide a much-needed public relations boost.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson praised the program as "a common sense, pragmatic way to give the uninsured access to prescription medicines" and said it may stem the tide of those looking to Canada for affordable prescriptions.
To qualify for the card, applicants must be under 65, not eligible for Medicare and have no other private or public drug coverage. They also must have incomes no higher than $30,000 for a single person, $40,000 for couples and $60,000 for a family of four.
Whitely said the benefits could cover 80 percent of the 45 million Americans who are uninsured and don't carry prescription drug coverage. That number has grown from 40 million just four years ago.
Many of the most popular drugs are included in the program. Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, for example, is discounting some of its best-selling drugs, including Lipitor, Zoloft and Celebrex. But cardholders won't know the exact discount they get until they check at their local pharmacies.
Discounts will vary based on the pharmacy a cardholder uses, said Patrick Kelly, president of Pfizer's U.S. pharmaceutical business. Pharmacies that cooperate with the program are also offering their own discounts for each drug and will add both reductions to reach a final savings amount.
Busy pharmacies are beginning to limit customers to two requests for the best price per drug, he said.
Those who qualify for the new program can enroll by visiting the Web site, www.TogetherRxAccess.com, or by calling 1-800-444-4106. The card will be effective by mid-February.
Companies participating in the program include Abbott; AstraZeneca; Bristol-Myers Squibb; GlaxoSmithKline; Janssen Pharmaceutica and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies; Novartis; Pfizer; sanofi-aventis Group; Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America; and TAP Pharmaceutical Products.