Dr. Shelley Sellinger’s article “Helping indigent patients obtain medications” (Pearls, Current Psychiatry, April 2005) is helpful for psychiatrists working with patients who lack pharmacy benefits. Not having the information handy or believing the process is too cumbersome may deter some clinicians from using patient assistance programs.
We also suggest the following services:
- www.needymeds.com lists thousands of medications alphabetically (by brand or generic name). Each listing provides complete assistance program information, including the phone number, eligibility criteria, and application form.
- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) patient assistance program. Simply obtain a brief application by calling 1-866-PATIENT (728-4368) or logging onto www.bridgestoaccess.gsk.com. Fill out the form, then call 1-866-PATIENT to activate the attached coupon. Give the patient the coupon and a 60-day prescription for a GSK medication. The patient can fill the prescription at any pharmacy for a $10 co-payment. GSK then mails you 3-month supplies of the medication for 1 year.
Abigail Kay, MD
Instructor in psychiatry
Rajnish Mago, MD
Assistant professor of psychiatry
Director, mood disorders program
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA