The "Help is Here Express" bus tour will be stopping in Kentucky throughout the week of September 8 - 11 at various cities in order to help uninsured and financially-struggling Kentuckians access information on programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. With the state's unemployment rate now hitting 11 percent -- one of the worst rates in the nation -- the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) bus tour is raising awareness of patient assistance programs among state residents who face layoffs and loss of health care benefits.
The PPA, a nationwide effort sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies, provides a single point of access to more than 475 patient assistance programs that help those who are uninsured or struggling financially. Nearly 200 of the programs are provided by pharmaceutical companies.
The "Help Is Here Express" bus will be at the following Kentucky locations:
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Appalachian Regional Hospital - Middlesboro
3600 West Cumberland Avenue
Middlesboro, KY 40965
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Appalachian Regional Hospital - Hazard
100 Medical Center Drive
Hazard, KY 41701
WHEN: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Pikeville Medical Center
231 Hibbard Street
Pikeville, KY 41501
Thursday, September 10, 2009
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Highlands Regional Medical Center - Archer Clinic
400 University Drive #100
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Friday, September 11, 2009
WHEN: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Cheapside Park - Lexington
251 W Main Street
Lexington KY 40508
"The PPA, so far, has helped well over 124,000 Kentuckians find out if they may qualify for free or discounted medicines and as we move forward into 2009, the assistance is still available," said PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin. "That's good news for the citizens of Kentucky, where there are more than 227,000 people out of work."
Patients who qualify for help from the PPA's participating patient assistance programs have access to more than 2,500 brand-name and generic prescription medicines. In addition, the PPA provides information on more than 10,000 free health care clinics in America and has connected more than 287,000 patients with clinics and health care providers in their communities.
Patients seeking help from PPA can call a toll-free number (1-888-4-PPA-NOW) to talk to a trained operator or access the PPA Web site (www.pparx.org). It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to find out if someone may qualify for free or discounted medications.