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The poor and uninsured can get help with their medicines through the Pharmacy Connection Date published: 3/29/2009
BY JIM HALL The poor and uninsured can get free medicines with the help of a program now based at the Caroline County Department of Social Services. The Pharmacy Connection is open to any income-eligible resident in the region who is uninsured and needs help with long-term prescription drugs. The program uses software created by the Virginia Health Care Foundation to connect needy patients with the nation's major drug companies, most of which offer free or reduced-price medicines. More than 100 drug companies participate in the program, with more than 250 classes of medications available. Each drug company has its own eligibility requirements and application. Pharmacy Connection software helps patients fill out the necessary paperwork. Most of the participating drug companies require that patients have no other drug coverage. The medications are usually shipped to the patients' homes or their doctors' offices. More than 165,000 people have participated in the program since its start in 1997. In Caroline, about 40 people have participated so far, said Lauren Spangler, medication assistance caseworker. Interest in the program has increased in recent months because of the recession, said Deborah Oswalt, executive director of the Virginia Health Care Foundation. Sponsoring organizations have contacted her agency for grant money to hire additional Pharmacy Connection workers. "All of a sudden, they just are through the roof because of the need," she said. The Fredericksburg area has about 45,000 uninsured people, according to the Richmond-based foundation. Jim Hall: 540/374-5433
Read more stories about Fredericksburg Date published: 3/29/2009
The companies just increase the price per pill for the paying-customers, to cover the costs.
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