Eli Lilly makes charitable contribution to Patient Advocate Foundation

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced that it has made a charitable contribution to the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). The donation will enable expansion of the foundation's patient services programs, including Case Management and Co-Pay Relief (CPR) Programs in support of a new fund for patients with nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer.  

PAF is a national, non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation, assuring access to care, and preservation of employment and financial stability, relative to their diagnosis of life-threatening or debilitating diseases. The CPR Program provides direct financial support for co-payments for medicines to insured patients, including Medicare beneficiaries who financially and medically qualify.

Since the program's inception in April 2004, CPR has distributed more than $120 million in assistance to more than 46,000 patients who were unable to afford their co-payments for medications. PAF also has a long-standing history of service to the lung cancer community, having the oldest lung cancer fund in the U.S. In the 12 months ending March 31, 2011, PAF received requests from more than 8,000 lung cancer patients, providers and/or caregivers, but, given the size of the fund, was only able to assist less than six percent of those patients.

"We understand that treating cancer involves more than delivering innovative medicines," said Sue Mahony, Ph.D., senior vice president and president, Lilly Oncology. "Aside from the health and emotional issues brought on by this devastating illness, there are often financial considerations. We applaud the Patient Advocate Foundation and hope with our assistance they can expand their vital services to even more patients," she added.