Program tackles high cost of prescription medication

BANGOR – When Christopher Nill, 25, of Bangor stepped onto the “Help is Here Express” bus Monday at the Eastern Maine Healthcare Mall parking lot, he was willing to try anything to lower the cost of his $85-per-month prescription medicine.

“My sister called me last night and told me about the bus,” Nill said. “I have to take the same pill every day for the rest of my life. I figured this was worth a shot.”

Nill walked away from the bus with phone numbers for local and national programs that could help cut the price of his prescription, which he declined to discuss.

“This was awesome; it took less than five minutes,” Nill said. “There are programs out there, but most of the general population have no idea.”

That is why “Help is Here Express” was created.

In April 2005, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, a trade association that advocates for public policy encouraging the discovery of new medications, launched two buses to travel nationwide providing resources for people who need to reduce the costs of their medication.

The idea was part of The Partnership for Prescription Assistance, or PPA, a national program that was introduced in Maine in 2003 to assist patients in accessing their prescriptions. Since its inception, the Express program has matched nearly 9,000 Maine patients with prescription drug programs.

PhRMA has invested tens of millions of dollars into promoting the Express program, according to Ken Johnson, PhRMA senior vice president.

“For more than half a century there have been patient assistance programs, but they were not well advertised,” Johnson said Monday, by phone. “We are trying to take the mystery out of finding help.”

Both buses have laptop computers and counselors on board to generate information about available programs based on patients’ particular needs. All services are free, confidential, and available to all age groups.

The service helps a wide range of people, from those who have no insurance to those who have only limited coverage. It also provides aid for those who do not qualify for Medicare, but who cannot afford their prescriptions.

“We’ve had a steady stream of people all morning,” Mark Grayson, vice president of PhRMA communications and public affairs, said Monday, outside the parked bus. “But even if people didn’t come today, they can still call the toll-free number.”

With operators that speak more than 100 different languages, the PPA toll-free number connects people with prescription drug programs that could lower their costs. This number, as well as the program’s Web site, makes it easier for those who do not have transportation to gain access to the information.

Patricia Richard, 52, of Bradford, thought that was a good idea.

Richard has diabetes and recently had a heart murmur. She is out of a job until July, which, according to her doctor, is the earliest time she can resume normal activities. She has no other income and is struggling to afford her prescriptions.

The Express program was able to put her in contact with several patient assistance programs and will be sending her the information to apply for reduced costs in the mail.

“I never thought I’d be in this position,” Richard said from the bus. “Luckily, I have family to help me get here. But I’m really concerned for the people who don’t. I know there’s a lot of people around here who need help.”

For more information about reducing prescription costs, call The Partnership for Prescription Assistance at 1-888-477-2669, or go to www.pparx.org.