Assistance programs available for medications commonly used in transplant patients.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have programs available to supply medications to indigent patients at little or no cost. Enrolling needy patients into these programs should increase patient compliance to medications, minimize patient and institution financial burdens, and decrease adverse events associated with medication noncompliance. However, access to assistance programs by patients in need is limited if physicians and other health care providers are unaware of the existence of such programs or not informed of each program's enrollment process. The literature is void of a manuscript describing assistance programs available for commonly prescribed medications used in transplant patients. This article offers a concise summary of medication assistance programs available through the pharmaceutical industry to assist in the procurement of medications that are commonly prescribed for the transplant population, including immunosuppressants, antibacterials, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and hypoglycemic agents. This article should be used by health care professionals as a guide to the availability and requirements of medication assistance programs.

Medication assistance programs for uninsured and indigent patients.

Pharmaceutical company-sponsored medication assistance programs and the pharmacist's role in obtaining medications for indigent patients are discussed. Information about enrolling in medication assistance programs can be obtained through a variety of sources, including the Internet. Although some eligibility criteria may be common to many programs, each company operates independently, and the eligibility criteria vary, individuals involved in the administration of medication assistance programs should strive to ensure that correct information is reported. Pharmacists can play an important role in acquiring medications for patients by reviewing patient information, recommending patients for enrollment, and serving as a liaison between the patient or health care provider and the program administrator. Many pharmaceutical companies have programs that provide prescription medications to indigent or uninsured patients. Pharmacists can serve as a liaison between these programs and the patient or the health care provider.