Pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced a new program called MAINTAIN (Medicines Assistance for Those who Are in Need) which makes 70 of their medicines free to US residents who have lost their jobs. According to the company’s website, the program was initiated by company employees “who were witnessing friends, family and neighbors struggle to make ends meet after losing their jobs.” Many pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, already have patient assistance programs that help eligible patients pay for medications. By giving away free medicines during this time of economic hardship, the company is likely aiming to keep patients loyal to the brand. Eligibility requirements of the new program include:
- Loss of employment since January 1, 2009
- Prescribed and taking a Pfizer medicine for at least 3 months prior to becoming unemployed and enrolling in the program
- Lack of prescription drug coverage
- Can attest to financial hardship
Click here for more information and the MAINTAIN application.
Tags: drugs, free, MAINTAIN, Pfizer, pharmaceuticals
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
May 26th, 2009 at 5:06 am
I contacted Pfizer and they told me that I did not qualify since I have been unemployed before Jan 1, 2009. I have been unemployed since Oct 2008 and take medication which is produced by Pfzier. Does this mean that Pfzier would rather have you change medications from another pharmaceutical labs? I think they want the glory but not the problems since unemployment became rampant before Jan 2009. I guess we dont count so its off to the doctor to change brands, guess Pfzier makes enough off Viagra to worry about their other “patients”.
May 26th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
What? Generally speaking, these unemployed ppl will be receiving unemployment benefits for some time or become employed again. They are eligible for the Pfizer Friends discount program for drugs. While it may be very hard financially just the same, they are better off than the ppl who lost their jobs before 1/2009 and are still unemployed and have exhausted benefits. I have been on the Pfizer Friends discount program for Lyrica for a year. Shouldn’t I be able to “graduate” to MAINTAIN? Can’t Pfizer execs understand those who have lost benefits and still looking for jobs are much more needy than those who are recently (since 1/2009) unemployed?? I don’t intend a “us vs them” attitude; however, the longer you go without that job the needier you become. Question: does “since” mean simply unemployed during this time or unemployment occurred on or after 1/2009?
May 26th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
My husband has been laid off since March 27 2009.
I take Plavix and I am very scare to stop this Rx. I have taken it for 6 years after a Heart Attack. I do not have a drug coverage for Plavix. I am 60 years of age and not ready to die from a Heart Attack.
Please, Please, can you help me with your free Plavix.
Please write to me through my e mail.
I live in Canada, and Canada is in a worse state than the USA.
It would be nice to see that there is no discrimnaton.