FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004
CONTACT: (206) 491-1788 (206) 682-5066

Thousands Seek Assistance from RxHelp For Washington
Newly Launched Prescription Drug Program Benefits Lower Income Residents

SEATTLE - In just two days, nearly 15,000 people have sought assistance from RxHelp for Washington, a new statewide prescription drug clearinghouse that helps patients in search of free and discounted prescription drugs.

RxHelp for Washington's website and toll-free phone number received a total of 14,454 inquiries. The program, which was launched earlier this week, matched 8,227 applicants with prescription drug assistance programs to help them pay for their medication.

RxHelp for Washington provides a website and toll free number so that Washington residents can easily search through hundreds of private and public prescription discount programs, including those offered by pharmaceutical companies and the new Medicare drug discount card. RxHelp also allows patients to apply for the programs.

More than 1,800 different medications are available for free or at greatly reduced prices for qualified applicants. There are more than 275 different plans that provide free or reduced price prescriptions.

Washington residents can apply for the RxHelp for Washington program either by logging on to www.rxhelpforwa.org or by calling the toll free number, 1- 877-923-6779. There is no charge to apply.

RxHelp was launched in Pasco and Yakima on Tuesday and in Seattle on Wednesday.

"These numbers demonstrate the value of RxHelp for Washington," said Bill Bell, executive director of Northwest Parkinson's Foundation (www.nwpf.org) "So many people need help paying for their medicine, but they don't know where to find it. Now they have a place to call and an easy to use website to search through for programs that can help them."

More than 700,000 Washington residents do not have insurance or are underinsured.

RxHelp for Washington is provided by a broad partnership of Washington organizations and America's pharmaceutical companies.

More than 20 healthcare, patient advocacy and social service organizations support the program. RxHelp for Washington partners include: Alzheimer's Association (Western and Central WA chapter), American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (Pacific/Mountain affiliate), American Parkinson Disease Association Washington State Chapter, American Lung Association of Washington, Amgen, Aradia Women's Health Center, Arthritis Foundation WA/AK chapter, Association of Washington Business, Asthma & Allergy Foundation (Washington Chapter) Berlex, Childhaven, El Centro de la Raza, Epilepsy Foundation Northwest, League of Women Voters of Seattle, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Greater Washington Chapter), Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Seattle Woman Magazine, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Washington Health Foundation, Washington Policy Center and the Washington State Pharmacy Association.

RxHelp for Washington is a one-stop clearinghouse for patients looking for assistance in paying for prescription drugs. RxHelp for Washington has more than 20 community health partners that include some of Washington's best-known patient advocacy, health organizations and non-profit agencies.

RX Help for WA - P.O. Box 1193 - Seattle, Washington 98111-1193
206-491-1788 www.rxhelpforwa.org