Medication assistance programs for uninsured and indigent patients

Pharmaceutical company-sponsored medication assistance programs and the pha rmacists's role in obtaining medications for indigent patients are discusse d. Information about enrolling in medication assistance programs can be obtain ed through a variety of sources, including the Internet. Although some elig ibility criteria may be common to many programs, each company operates inde pendently, and the eligibility criteria vary. Individuals involved in the a dministration of medication assistance programs should strive to ensure tha t correct information is reported. Pharmacists can play an important role i n acquiring medications for patients by reviewing patient information, reco mmending patients for enrollment, and serving as a liaison between the pati ent or health care provider and the program administrator. Many pharmaceutical companies have programs that provide prescription medic ations to indigent or uninsured patients. Pharmacists can serve as a liaiso n between these programs and the patient or the health care provider.