Patient Assistance & Expanded Access Programs

What is a Patient Assistance Program?

The research-based pharmaceutical industry has had a long-standing tradition of providing prescription medicines at a reduced charge to physicians, pharmacists and to patients directly who might not otherwise have access to necessary medicines. Here are a few good resources for finding prescription drug assistance information.

PPARx
Helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or nearly free brand-name medicines.

The Access Project of AIDS Treatment Data Network
Up-to-date information on Patient Assistance Programs, particularly for drugs used to treat HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and opportunistic infections related to HIV.

ACRIA
List of Patient Assistance Programs contact information for the most commonly used medications for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and AIDS-related opportunistic infections.

PAP CoPay Layout (PDF)
Updated Information on Patient Assistance and Co-Pay Programs for HIV and Viral Hepatitis Medications – Fair Pricing Coalition (August 2012).

RxHope
Searchable database of government and corporate sponsored patient assistance programs for over 1000 medications.

Together Rx Access
Provides savings on prescriptions to eligible residents of the US and Puerto Rico who have no prescription drug coverage.

What is an Expanded Access Program?

A general term for company programs that distribute new drugs before FDA approval to people who need them, expanded access mechanisms are designed to make promising products available as early in the drug evaluation process as possible.

You can find current expanded access trials at ClinicalTrials.gov or the AIDS Treatment Data Network. Canadian residents can find out about clinical trials in their area by visiting the Canadian HIV Trials Network. 

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