Healthy Skepticism Library item: 18481

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Choudhry NK, Lee JL, Agnew-Blais J, Corcoran C, Shrank WH
Drug company-sponsored patient assistance programs
Health Aff (Millwood). 2009 May 6; 28:(3):827–834.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873618/

Abstract:

The benefits of drug company–sponsored PAPs remain unclear.
Drug company–sponsored patient assistance programs (PAPs) provide access to brand-name medications at little or no cost and have been advocated as a safety net for inadequately insured patients. Yet little is known about these programs. We surveyed drug company–sponsored PAPs and found much variability in their structures and application processes. Most cover one or two drugs. Only 4 percent disclosed how many patients they had directly helped, and half would not disclose their income eligibility criteria. A better understanding of PAPs might clarify their role in improving access to medications, the adequacy of existing public programs, and their impact on cost-effective medication use.