ASTRAZENECA EXPANDS PRESCRIPTION SAVINGS PROGRAM
For immediate release: July 23 2009
(WILMINGTON, Del.) - AstraZeneca announced today it is expanding its prescription savings program by immediately extending assistance to qualifying patients who have recently lost their jobs, had their incomes reduced, or experienced a change in marital status or family size.
Previously, patients who experienced a change in income or family size had difficulty applying to the program if their W2 statements showed a non-qualifying income. Now, qualifying people who provide documentation of their current income and family size can enroll more easily and receive their AstraZeneca medicines more quickly.
"AstraZeneca is committed to helping patients get the medicines they need," said Rich Fante, US President, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. "Our responsibility goes beyond developing medicines to also making them available to those who cannot afford them."
For more than 30 years, AstraZeneca has offered patient assistance programs side-by-side with its medicines. In 2008, AstraZeneca helped more than 440,000 people fill 2.7 million prescriptions resulting in $612 million of savings to patients.
AstraZeneca provides free or low-cost medicines to patients through its AZ&Me Prescription Savings programs in three ways:
AZ&MeTM Prescription Savings program for people without insurance: AstraZeneca provides AstraZeneca medicines at no cost to qualifying individuals without prescription drug coverage who make up to $30,000 per year and families of four who make up to $60,000 per year.
AZ&MeTM Prescription Savings program for people with Medicare Part D: AstraZeneca provides low-cost AstraZeneca medicines for qualifying Medicare Part D patients who make up to $30,000 per year or couples who make up to $40,000 per year.
AZ&MeTM Prescription Savings program for healthcare facilities: AstraZeneca provides AstraZeneca medicines at no cost to qualifying non-profit healthcare facilities, such as disproportionate share hospitals, community health centers and community free clinics. This program connects patients to the AstraZeneca medicines they need at the same time and place they receive their treatment.
Patients can learn more about the AZ&Me Prescription Savings program at www.azandme.com or by calling 1-800-AZandMe.