The 'Help is Here Express' bus tour will be stopping in South Carolina and Georgia throughout the week of November 9-13 at various cities in order to help uninsured and financially-struggling patients access information on programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. With the nation's unemployment rate now hitting 10.2 percent, 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 South Carolina and Georgia locations:
Monday, November 9, 2009
WHEN: 9:30-11 AM
WHERE: First Baptist Church of North Augusta
620 Georgia Avenue
North Augusta, SC 29841
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
WHEN: 10-11:30 AM
WHERE: Orangeburg Health Department
1550 Carolina Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29115
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
WHEN: 10-11:30 AM
WHERE: Macon Volunteer Clinic
376 Rogers Avenue
Macon, GA 31204
Thursday, November 12, 2009
WHEN: 10-11:30 AM
WHERE: Tanner Medical Center
705 Dixie Street
Carrollton, GA 30117
Friday, November 13, 2009
WHEN: 10-11:30 AM
WHERE: Dalton-Whitfield Regional Library
310 Cappes Street
Dalton, GA 30720
"The PPA, so far, has helped more than 6 million people nationwide 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 South Carolina and Georgia, where so many people are 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.