AstraZeneca Helps More People Afford Its Medicines
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Increased Income Level May Qualify Millions More People For Free Program
November 2, 2006 - Wilmington, DE - AstraZeneca today announced new efforts to help people who have difficulty paying for their medicines. Beginning November 15th, a family of four earning $60,000 or less or individuals earning $30,000 or less, who do not have prescription drug coverage, can qualify to get their AstraZeneca medicines for free.
This change to the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program means that an additional 3.8i million people may be helped, bringing the total uninsured population that may qualify to approximately 33 million people. It directly helps those in the middle class as well as those with lower incomes.
“People struggle every day to pay for their health care. Part of AstraZeneca’s core commitment to patients is to enable those who can’t afford our medicines to get them, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Tony Zook, President and CEO, AstraZeneca US. “Expanding this program means that a family earning the median US household income of around $46,000 will be able to qualify for our program—we think that’s a significant step in the right direction.”
Congressman Jim Clyburn, Chair of the Democratic Caucus, said, “Today AstraZeneca showed what a truly caring company does when it knows people need assistance. By standing with average working families who can't afford their medicines, AstraZeneca has made a lasting impact by making sure their medicines are accessible."
Expanding the number of people who will be able to obtain AstraZeneca’s medicines for free, is part of AstraZeneca’s overall effort to ensure that people who are having difficulty accessing and affording their treatments have the company’s support. In addition to providing medicines free of charge, the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program provides one-on-one education and information to help individuals obtain whichever medicines their doctor recommends, even if they are made by another manufacturer.
“One of our chief concerns at AARP is making sure all Americans have access to affordable prescription drugs. When companies like AstraZeneca find ways to help more Americans get the prescription drugs they need, it’s a positive step in the right direction,” said John Rother, Group Executive Officer, Policy and Strategy, AARP.
The AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program provides assistance for qualifying families of four earning $60,000 or less per year or qualifying individuals earnings $30,000 or less per year—which is based on approximately 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The program provides assistance to people of all ages without drug coverage. People with drug coverage experiencing financial hardship, including people with Medicare Part D, may also apply to the program for interim assistance.
“This is one of the most comprehensive industry responses to the issue of prescription drug assistance for those people who can’t afford their medicines,” said Jane L. Delgado, Ph.D. M.S, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group. “It’s our hope that others in the industry will follow AstraZeneca’s move to expand patient assistance programs and make their medicines more available for those who need them most.”
AstraZeneca was the first pharmaceutical company to include information about its assistance program in all of its television advertisements. Later in November, AstraZeneca will also launch a national print and web advertising campaign to raise awareness among consumers who may be eligible for the AstraZeneca Patient Assistance Program.
For nearly three decades, AstraZeneca has offered drug assistance programs side by side with its medicines. In 2005, through the AstraZeneca drug assistance programs, AstraZeneca provided more than $751 million in savings to more than 712,000 patients without drug coverage throughout the US and Puerto Rico.
People who need information about the PAP can call 800-424-3727 or visit www.astrazeneca-us.com/drugassistance. Starting November 16th, patients can also call 1-800-azandme, or visit, www.azandme.com.
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $10.77 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.
For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
Additional quotes from third parties include:
“We hope that other pharmaceutical companies follow in AstraZeneca’s footsteps so families in need can get the medicines they need to manage their health," said Sandra Leal, PharmD, CDE, President, Association of Clinicians for the Underserved.
“This is perhaps the most comprehensive industry response to the issue of prescription drug assistance for those people who can’t afford their medicines,” said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, one the country’s leading patient advocacy groups. “We need to continue to work together to improve access to healthcare for our most vulnerable citizens.”
Senator Tom Carper, said, “For the millions of American families who can’t afford their prescriptions, AstraZeneca’s announcement today is extremely good news. My hope is other pharmaceutical companies will follow in their foot steps to help working families who are struggling to pay for their medicines.”
Janet Walton, Deputy Program Director, Volunteers in Healthcare, said, “AstraZeneca’s PAP expansion is terrific news. It represents medication access for millions of individuals who are typically not eligible for assistance. With this new move AstraZeneca continues to demonstrate its leadership in the universe of patient assistance programs and its ongoing commitment to ensuring prescription access for the uninsured.”
Congresswoman Donna Christensen, MD, Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, said, “This bold move demonstrates AstraZeneca’s commitment to people who truly need help. Additionally, by expanding access to medicines, AstraZeneca is playing a key role in efforts to reduce health disparities."
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