[Archived] Department of Human Services Encourages Residents Without Prescription Drug Coverage To Seek Partnership For Prescription Assistance Help On Thursday, October 26

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	October 23, 2006 PIO# 239-06/rdo	Brian Hannigan, Director of Communications, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE TO SEEK PARTNERSHIP FOR PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE HELP ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26
“Help Is Here” Bus Tours Country To Promote Free And Reduced-Cost Drug Programs

The Alexandria Department of Human Services encourages all residents who lack prescription drug coverage to visit the Partnership for Prescription Assistance’s “Help Is Here Express” bus during its upcoming stop in Falls Church on Thursday, October 26. The bus, recently popularized in a series of television advertisements featuring spokesman Montel Williams, will open from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at 5863 Columbia Pike. The location is adjacent to the El Grande Palenque Restaurant and across the street from the Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter.

Trained counselors who are bilingual in English and Spanish will meet with patients who are uninsured, under-insured, or lack prescription coverage to help determine their eligibility for free and reduced-cost prescription drug programs sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and other health organizations. No medications will be dispensed from the bus. Prescription refills will be mailed to the patients’ doctors or clinics for pick-up.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, physicians, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients. The organization seeks to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible and offers a single point of access to more than 475 public private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

The “Help Is Here Express” tour bus is equipped with computer terminals and mobile telephones linked to program databases and representatives. The bus visits state fairs, health clinics, senior centers, and community events throughout the nation.

For more information or to request assistance, call the Partnership for Prescription Assistance at 1-888-477-2669 or visit www.pparx.org.

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