Pharmaceutical companies in the United States sponsor Patient Assistant Programs to help patients who qualify receive medications free of charge.  They began offering these programs over 50 years ago to those who did not have access to prescription drug insurance coverage and had a hardship with affording their prescription drugs.  These companies still offer these same programs today, regardless of age or their employment status.  The problem is that each company has their own qualifications,guidelines and unique  application process.  In addition, many patients who qualify don’t know they exist.

Normally the Patient Assistant Programs provide many name brand as well as generic drugs.  Those used to treat many health conditions such as diabetes,arthritis, allergies, high blood pressure, pain management,and cancer are included.  Examples of specific medications often available are as follows: Lipitor, Norvasc, Zoloft, Plavix, Paxil,Glucophage, ToprolXL, Zocor, Nexim, Flovent, Advair, Diskus, Prevacid,Insulin, Valtrex,Lyrica, Cosopt, Cozzaar, Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, andHyzaar.