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News Release
HHS Applauds Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance ProgramsThe Department of Health and Human Services today applauded Schering Plough for its leadership in expanding its patient assistance programs for eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) today issued a favorable advisory opinion to Schering Plough regarding its two patient assistance programs for financially needy Part D enrollees. �This is excellent news for the many people with Medicare who have relied on these valuable patient assistance programs,� HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. �Medicare beneficiaries with limited means will now have the peace of mind knowing their prescription drug needs will be met, through Medicare drug coverage plus the prescription assistance programs.� Secretary Leavitt added, �HHS is working with other manufacturers to follow these examples and make sure that no beneficiary loses assistance that they have now.� �OIG recognizes the importance of helping financially-needy patients obtain necessary outpatient prescription drugs,� said Daniel R. Levinson, HHS Inspector General. �This advisory opinion illustrates that lawful avenues exist for pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide assistance to financially-needy patients, including Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Part D.� �Today�s advisory opinion and guidance from Medicare and the Inspector General show that pharmaceutical manufacturers can continue their patient assistance programs for people with Medicare drug coverage if they wish to do so,� said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D. �There is a clear roadmap that other manufacturers can follow to continue to assist beneficiaries with limited means who have Medicare drug coverage.� Schering Plough announced that it will expand its patient assistance program by providing access to prescription drugs outside of the Part D benefit, for beneficiaries who are covered by Medicare Part D, without any cost to the Medicare program. In addition, the company will to enter into a data sharing agreement with CMS to help to coordinate beneficiaries' drug utilization with plans providing Medicare prescription drug coverage. Another patient assistance program sponsored by Merck, announced earlier in March, will continue to provide Medicare beneficiaries, and others, with necessary Merck drugs. The Merck assistance program also operates outside of the Medicare benefit and with no cost to Medicare, according to Merck�s announcement. Low- income people without insurance and others with exceptional needs can apply for assistance. Medicare coverage reduces the load on pharmaceutical assistance programs and provides extra help for beneficiaries with limited means, allowing manufacturers to continue their assistance programs for people with Medicare drug coverage. ### Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news. Last revised: April 18, 2006 |
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