Web site offers fast access to drugs

A new web site run by pharmaceutical companies can help direct Indiana residents to prescription drug programs that offer free or discounted medications. Governor Mitch Daniels, a former executive at Eli Lilly and Company, says it's a safer alternative to importing drugs from other countries.

Patients provide information on age, income level and insurance and their eligiblibity for discounts or free medicine from drug companies is then worked out. Enrollment forms can be filled out by patients and doctors online and sent electronically to the programs.

Rx for Indiana, a partnership of nearly 60 health care, community, business and consumer groups, is making it easier than ever for eligible Indiana residents to access free or significantly discounted prescription medications.

Health care providers or family members can access more than 275 programs that provide more than 1,800 prescription medications through pharmaceutical assistance programs.

Donald Trainor, M.D., chief medical officer, Southeast Health Clinic & HealthNet Community Health Centers, says doctors are often frustrated when they are unable to access specific medications; staff often spend valuable time with patients sifting through endless applications for programs for which they might not even qualify. He considers this method much more effective and efficient.

Rx for Indiana has been designed for anyone who needs to access prescription assistance programs; it has a Spanish language Web site as well as trained Spanish speaking operators at the toll-free number. Operators are also able to help the deaf and hearing-impaired.

Mercy Obeime, M.D., medical director, St. Francis Neighborhood Health Clinic is eager to use this system with her patients and feels lack of available assistance in the past has seen patients forego medications that could make a major difference in their quality of life, or possibly save their lives; patients often don't tell their doctors that they can't afford the medications being prescribed.

Christian Clymer, senior director, Internet services, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), says the program is extremely easy to use.

America's research-based pharmaceutical companies, including Indiana-based Eli Lilly and Company, are partnering with Rx for Indiana to increase the awareness of and enrollment in existing industry and public pharmaceutical patient assistance programs. The program will be supported with a public awareness campaign.

See http://www.rxforindiana.org/