PRESQUE ISLE – Free or low-cost prescription drugs for Aroostook County residents could be just a phone call away, thanks to a new county-wide collaborative.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
Ken Johnson, senior vice president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the new prescription assistance program involving the use of the 2-1-1 hotline to receive information about obtaining low cost or free prescriptions for those in need.
The Aroostook Medical Center, Cary Medical Center, EMHS, Houlton Regional Hospital, Northern Maine Medical Center along with the Aroostook County Action Program, Power of Prevention and Aroostook Healthy Maine Partnership, Pines Health Services, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and 2-1-1 Maine have teamed up to provide a new way for uninsured or underinsured residents to find assistance in obtaining their prescriptions. As of Monday, patients can call the 2-1-1 hotline to advice and sources of prescription assistance.
The recently released Community Health Needs Assessment, commissioned by EMHS and funded by Healthcare Charities, disclosed that Aroostook residents are greatly in need of help affording their prescriptions. This pilot program, funded by a grant from America’s pharmaceutical research companies, will make it easier to get connected to various prescription assistance resources.
Several of the participating hospitals have patient assistant counselors trained to help patients access prescription assistance programs, and a number of Aroostook County pharmacies are offering $4 refills on selected generic drugs. In addition, 2-1-1 (Maine’s health and human service information and referral line) can link callers directly to the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a program supported by pharmaceutical research companies that helps uninsured and underinsured Americans get access to the medicines they need for free or nearly free.
Claudia Stevens, of United Way Aroostook in Presque Isle, said the prescription drug assistance should be of great comfort to County residents. “There are a lot of people who can use this help but are unsure of where to even start looking. This program is good because it combines the ease of calling 2-1-1 for general information with where to find low or no cost prescription help. It’s just that easy,” said Stevens.
“The PPA has had great success reaching the people of Maine,” said PhRMA senior vice president Ken Johnson. “There are still many more people who need help, but don’t know where to go to find it. Thanks to our partnership with EMHS, we hope to make it even easier for patients to get the medicines they need to live longer, healthier and more productive lives.”
“Some real challenges face the rural population of Aroostook County, such as high levels of chronic disease and a lack of insurance,” said Jerry Whalen, vice president of EMHS. “It is clear that increased access to low-cost, or even free, prescription drug programs will help those in need in Aroostook County. The goal of this pilot program with PhRMA is to provide ease of access.”
The prescription pilot project for Aroostook County also has the endorsement of the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. Both groups support this project since patients who follow their doctor’s orders, such as taking medications as prescribed, have better outcomes when it comes to managing cardiovascular diseases and cancer – the two leading causes of death in Maine. A common barrier to complying with doctor’s orders is the inability to afford medications, and organizers believe this collaborative effort will help improve the lives of people throughout Aroostook County.
Since its launch in April 2005, the PPA has helped nearly 5 million Americans, including more than 20,000 in Maine. PhRMA represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines.
