In response to Maine and other states trying to provide discount prescription drug programs for residents, the drug industry has for years argued that it already provides discounts to qualified applicants. Sometimes these private programs have been substantial, sometimes meager, but finding them has been uniformly difficult, so a new program that provides web assistance with links to a wide range of discounts is welcome.

Called Partnership for Prescription Assistance, each state has a coalition of organizations in support of helping prescription drug users find discounts for drugs they need and guide them through the application steps. The level of discount varies by card or service. The program, according to the partnership, is largely based on Rx Cares For ME, a Maine service begun in 2003. In addition to web information the program offers a toll-free phone number (1-888-477-2669) or visit the national site – www.pparx.org -or the Maine site – www.rxcaresforme.org.

Lisa Webber, the help-line coordinator for Consumers for Affordable Health Care, said she tried the web search with limited success: Of the five discount cards it said she would qualify for, only two were applicable to the information she had entered. Still, she said, if the bugs in the system could be worked out, the help with applications would be important. Ms. Webber points out, additionally, that the service still requires those who qualify to bring applications to a doctor before a discounted prescription can be provided.

Earlier this spring, AARP reported the cost of the most popular drugs used by the elderly had increased more than 7 percent in 2004, which the organization called a record. PhRMA, an industry group, said the overall increase in drug prices, as gauged by the Consumer Price Index, was only 4.7 percent, though given that the general rate of inflation was 2.7 percent, either figure was high.

If this service guides seniors or anyone else to a reliable, single place for a variety of discount programs it will prove its worth as a valuable way to save health care dollars.