I got some information from my good (virtual) buddy Jessica Lee yesterday that really blew me away. I’ve blogged about health care here a few times – starting from when I cut my hand open to my thoughts about Obama saving the healthcare system… but this one is really heartening. And I get to blog about it on the Fourth of July weekend… I can’t help but think how dang American (or COOL, or HUMANE) this is, and how Pfizer is treating us right (I really don’t know much about Pfizer, so if you are a Pfizer hater and think they are not treating us right, leave a comment elsewhere).
I’m going to show you the email I got from Jessica, who is helping spread the word about this… it’s kind of formal, but since it’s about getting free prescriptions I don’t want to paraphrase. Note, the end the email talks about people who don’t qualify – bottom line is to go to Pfizer Helpful Answers, or call their number (866.706.2400).
This really is the bomb – thank you Pfizer for stepping up and treating us right! The email from Jessica (with my bolds for emphasis):
I wanted to touch base with you as I’m working with Pfizer to raise awareness of its new patient assistance program called MAINTAIN, which became fully operational on July 1, 2009. MAINTAIN helps eligible unemployed Americans (and their families) who are in financial need and lack prescription coverage continue to get their Pfizer medicines free-of-charge for up to one year or until they become insured, whichever comes first.
Based on your coverage of issues affecting job seekers on the Jibber Jobber blog, I thought you would find this program relevant – and helpful – to your readers.
Through MAINTAIN, more than 70 Pfizer medicines are offered that treat a range of chronic health conditions. It is easy to learn if you may be eligible, by visiting www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com or calling 866-706-2400. The program is user-friendly, with a one-page application that Pfizer will typically process within two to three weeks. The program is expected to accept applications through December 31, 2009.
There are four eligibility requirements for MAINTAIN:
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate loss of employment since January 1, 2009;
- Lack prescription coverage;
- Attest to financial need; and,
- Be on their Pfizer medicine for at least three months prior to unemployment and enrolling in the program.
If you would like more information about MAINTAIN, please let me know and I can put you in touch with someone from Pfizer Helpful Answers.
I hope you will take a moment to learn more about MAINTAIN and to post details about it on your blog. It’s a valuable resource for the millions of newly unemployed Americans who may need help to continue getting their Pfizer medicines, but who may not be aware that this program is available.
Thank you,
JessicaP.S. Uninsured patients who need a Pfizer medicine but who do not qualify for MAINTAIN may qualify for Pfizer’s other Patient Assistance Programs. More information is available at www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com. For patients who are taking Pfizer oncology or specialty medicine and need assistance, Pfizer Helpful Answers also runs programs designed specifically to meet the needs of those patients including those who have recently lost their jobs and their insurance. These programs include RSVP for anti infective, HIV and PAH medicines, FirstResource for oncology and the Pfizer Bridge Program for endocrine care medicines.
How many other companies are doing something like this? Please help spread the word on this – I think it’s just plain COOL!
I believe all major drug companies have similar programs, and they’ve had them in place for a long time. I volunteered at a hospital about five years ago and part of my job was helping low-income patients fill out these forms, and there were many companies’ forms to choose from. Most would even mail the drugs to your house in 90-day supplies (if not, you’d have to get them from the doctor).
I’ve never thought of drug companies as evil, but that experience really opened my eyes to the fact that people giving them shit about “too-expensive” drugs really had no idea what they were talking about. Not to mention how many billions it takes to develop these drugs in the first place, and how the profit window is so small due to generics.