Ramon Burgos, 64, of New Bern, gets to take his medications as prescribed.
While that may sound like a simple accomplishment, it would not be the case without a free prescription drug program that helps the low-income and uninsured population, he said.
“Thanks, that they saved my life,” Burgos said of N.C. MedAssist, the organization that sends Burgos his prescription drug supply every three months. “Programs like this are needed for people that cannot afford to pay for their medications.”
Burgos suffered a heart attack slightly more than a year ago, and doctors inserted two stents, he said. He needs to take about $300 worth of medications per month, which he would be unable to afford. Burgos is just one of 17 MedAssist clients in Craven County who currently receive 81 prescriptions valued at nearly $12,500, according to MedAssist information.
And the people who run MedAssist know they need to reach more.
“We have a huge hill to climb. There are over 1 million people in the state of North Carolina who are uninsured and 60 percent of those are low income,” said Lori Giang, N.C. MedAssist chief executive officer and executive director. “Once you factor in that at least 45 percent of the population have at least one chronic illness, you’re looking at over a half-million people that will qualify for our services. They’re uninsured and they’re sick.”
The organization recently has been able to expand its list of offerings through a partnership with Pfizer Inc. The partnership, which MedAssist announced last week, results in a 48 percent increase in the brand name drugs available to MedAssist clients. The Pfizer additions to MedAssist’s formulary include drugs for conditions not previously covered, like neuropathy, smoking cessation, overactive bladder and Alzheimer’s disease, according to MedAssist information.
“The partnership for us means millions of dollars in brand name prescriptions that we are now able to provide statewide,” Giang said this week.
Pfizer fully donates the prescription drugs.
The partnership also extends Pfizer’s reach in North Carolina, expanding its Pfizer Helpful Answers patient assistance program. In 2010 alone, that program helped 62,000 North Carolinians obtain 529,000 prescriptions valued at nearly $77 million, said Curtis Allen, Pfizer spokesman.
“At Pfizer, we believe that everyone, regardless of their insurance status or income, should have access to Pfizer medications,” Allen said. “Pfizer’s corporate commitment is to be a leading voice for improving everyone’s ability to have reliable and affordable health care.”
N.C. MedAssist formed in Mecklenburg County in 1997, providing prescription drugs for senior citizens, Giang said. In 2005 it expanded the demographic it serves to all adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who received medical services at free clinics. In 2007, the organization was able to take on additional clients in the age group by self-referral, no matter where they received medical care. The organization was able to offer its services statewide, beginning in 2009, thanks to startup funding from the N.C. Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Education Fund. That funding will carry N.C. MedAssist through the rest of the calendar year, but beginning in 2012 it will need to operate independently. About 50 percent of its funding has come from the AG’s fund, and the other 50 percent comes from the United Way, grants and private donations. The organization has launched a fundraiser campaign to gather long-term sustainable funding, said Kelly Musante, N.C. MedAssist development director.
The organization is set to provide $13.5 million of free prescription drugs this year, and its goal is to help 12,000 additional clients, Giang said.
Currently the closest N.C. MedAssist enrollment location is in Jones County, through the health department. However, anyone may apply online at medassist.org/enroll-now or by calling 866-331-1348. Beneficiaries must meet certain qualifications.
Anyone who wants to make a gift to MedAssist may contact Kelly Musante at 704-536-1685.
“The real opportunity here for North Carolina is that for every $1 donated to MedAssist, we’re able to provide $8 in medications,” Giang said.
As for the commitment from Pfizer:
“We are truly thankful. It’s like Christmas in April,” Giang said. “Pfizer has a heart for people that are uninsured.”
P. Christine Smith can be reached at 252-635-5666 or pcsmith@freedomenc.com.