Help offered to prescription drug users

The new Web site for Partnership for Prescription Assistance of Missouri that was unveiled locally on Thursday is a no-frills page of simple instructions and easy-to-digest information.

Organizers of the service say that's the point -- to give underinsured, low-income Americans an easier way to get prescription drugs free or at a discount.

"We wanted to provide a clearinghouse of information to get people help with medicine costs," said Christian Clymer, director of Internet research for the project. "And we wanted to make it as easy as we could. We want this to be a single point of access."

The Missouri chapter of the program, which is sponsored by 40 drug companies, was announced Thursday at a news conference at Cross Trails Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

The free, nationwide program is intended to help low-income, under-insured patients access to prescription medicines through the Web site and a toll-free hotline. The Web site is www.pparxmo.org and the phone number is (888) 4PPA-NOW. Missourians could start participating in the program Wednesday.

People whose applications are approved will receive information in the mail on how to get medications. The partnership said it has information on more than 275 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 offered by drug companies that make more than 2,000 brand-name and generic medicines available.

The Web site and hotline phone operators help prescription drug users find discounts for drugs they need and guide them through the application steps. The level of discount varies by discount card or service.

Barbara French is a community outreach specialist for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Missouri. She said people served by her organization could use such a service.

"Access to prescription drugs is a critical concern for everyone," she said. "Many people need help. They'd have peace of mind knowing that there's help like this out there."

Vicki Smith, CEO of Cross Trails, estimated that 40 percent or more of the center's patients would probably qualify to use the program.

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137