Posted by DaveH (64.252.10.212) on January 30, 2002 at 07:07:01:
Saving Meds $$: Novartis & Pfizer Act
Novartis and Pfizer have joined GlaxoSmithKline in offering discount programs
In November, we reported that GlaxoSmithKline had launched their Orange Cardsm program, offering prescription medications at reduced prices to people who met the age and income requirements. That article ended,
"GlaxoSmithKline is to be commended for taking this step rather than waiting for legislation to pass to assist patients who might otherwise not be able to afford their medications. Let's hope this is the first of many such programs."
Two additional pharmaceutical companies have now begun similar programs. Novartis had launched the Novartis Care Cardsm. Pfizer has launched the Pfizer for Living Share Card™. Bravo to both Novartis and Pfizer!
The Novartis Care Cardsm:
The Novartis Care CardSM was devised to provide eligible Medicare recipients savings of 25% or more on select Novartis outpatient prescription products. Eligible applicants must:
be U.S. residents
be age 65 or older or receiving Medicare disability benefits
have annual income below 300% Federal Poverty Level (approximately $26,000/single and $35,000/couple* (* Alaska: $33,000 single/$44,000 couple; Hawaii: $30,000 single/$40,000 couple)
have no alternate prescription drug coverage
* Alaska: $33,000 single/$44,000 couple; Hawaii: $30,000 single/$40,000 couple
There is no charge to patients for joining the Novartis Care Cardsm Program. Applications are available through your physician or pharmacy or online at http://www.novartis.com/downloads/carecard/care_applic.pdf.
The Novartis Care CardSM Program was set up through an independent third party, McKesson Health Solutions, who invite other pharmaceutical companies to add their own independent programs.
Products covered by the Novartis Care Cardsm Program:
Cafergot ® (ergotamine tartrate/caffeine)
Cataflam ® (diclofenac potassium)
Clozaril ® (clozapine)
CombiPatch ® (estradiol/norethindrone acetate transdermal system)
Comtan ® (entacapone)
Diovan ® (valsartan)
Diovan HCT ® (valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide)
Estraderm ® (estradiol transdermal system)
Exelon ® (rivastigmine tartrate)
Famvir ® (famciclovir)
Fioricet ® (butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine)
Fioricet ®/Codeine (butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine & codeine phosphate)
Fiorinal ® (butalbital/aspirin/caffeine)
Fiorinal ®/Codeine (butalbital/aspirin/caffeine & codeine phosphate)
Foradil ® Aerolizer TM (formoterol fumerate inhalation powder)
Lamisil Tablets ® (terbinafine hydrochloride)
Lamprene ® (clofazimine)
Lescol ® (fluvastatin sodium)
Lescol XL ® (fluvastatin sodium)
Lopressor ® (metoprolol tartrate)
Lopressor HCT ® (metoprolol tartrate & hydrochlorothiazide)
Lotensin ® (benazepril hydrochloride)
Lotensin HCT ® (benazepril HCl & hydrochlorothiazide USP)
Lotrel ® (amiodipine & benazepril HCL)
Methergine ® (methylergonovine maleate)
Miacalcin ® Injection & Nasal Spray (calcitonin salmon)
Migranal ® Nasal Spray (dihydroergotamine mesylate)
Parlodel ® (bromocripting mesylate)
Sansert ® (methysergide maleate)
Starlix ® (nateglinide)
Tegretol ® (carbamazepine)
Tegretol-XR ® (carbamazepine extended-release tablets)
Trileptal ® (oxcarbaxepine)
Voltaren ® (diclofenac sodium)
Voltaren-XR ® (diclofenac sodium)
Vivelle ®/Vivelle-Dot TM (estradiol transdermal system)
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The Pfizer for Living Share Card™:
The Pfizer for Living Share Card™Program is intended to allow eligible participants to obtain Pfizer medications at their pharmacies by paying $15 for a 30-day supply of each medication. Eligible applicants must:
be enrolled in Medicare
have no prescription drug coverage
have a gross income is less than $18,000 a year; or less than $24,000 for couples who file jointly.
To apply for the Share Card, applicants need to complete and sign an application, sending it in with copies of their 2000 tax return (form 1040) or Social Security Benefits Statement (SSA 1099). An enrollment kit may be obtained by phoning 1-800-717-6005.
Products covered by the Share Card™ Program:
Most Pfizer medications are covered by the program. Those medications include:
Lipitor® (atorvastatin calcium)
Norvasc® (amlodipine besylate)
Neurontin® (gabapentin)
Zoloft® (sertraline HCl)
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Paying for medications can be financially crippling, especially for people on limited incomes who have no insurance to cover prescription costs. Let's offer a hearty round of applause to Novartis, Pfizer, and GlaxoSmithKline for these valuable discount programs.
© Teri Robert, 2002
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