Prescription drug help to roll into Russellville
By Staff
Melissa Cason
It's no secret that millions of Americans don't have prescription drug coverage, and unfortunately, those who don't have it need it the most. Fortunately, there are prescription drug assistance programs out there to help those who cannot afford the expense of paying for prescription medications.
One of those programs will make a stop in Russellville next week. Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) will make another stop in Russellville next week to bring prescription drug assistance to the residents in Franklin County.
The PPA "Help is Here Express" will be at Russellville Hospital on Monday, Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. PPA helps patients determine if they are eligible for 475 public and private patient assistance programs including nearly 200 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.
The bus is equipped with computer terminal and phones so residents can find out if they are eligible for free help. Trained specialist will be available to assist patients, caregivers, and medical professionals.
Since it's launch in April 2005, PPA has helped connect five million people to patient assistance programs to meet their medical needs.
Russellville is one stop on the bus' nationwide tour, and is the only stop in Franklin County.
Last year, the bus made its inaugrial stop in Russellville and 15 to 20 patients came to the bus to get help, and about a dozen more social workers stopped by to gain information on drug assistance programs.
"We give social workers a walk through of the program," Brian Atkinson, state coordinator for the program, said.
Atkinson said since the first stop in Russellville, he has been getting numerous phone calls requesting the bus make another stop so a bigger turn out is expected.
In Alabama alone 112,000 people have been reached with this program, but statistics show that almost 500,000 Alabamians are under insured or don't have coverage at all.
"Almost everybody is eligible for some kind of assistance whether it be a discount program or another program," Atkinson said.
He said that if a patient misses the PPA bus, he or she can gain the same information online at www.pparx.org or by calling 1-888-477-2669.
"The only difference from coming to the bus and calling or going online is that we have people there to help you through the process." Atkinson said.
