| 04 January 2012
Pharmaceutical corn panics have answered the call for a Medicare prescription drug benefit by offering discount cards on their products to eligible seniors.Physicians who meet with Novartis or GlaxoSmithKline sales representatives will hear all about the new programs, which can help eligible Medicare recipients save money on selected prescription drugs. Both programs were launched in January.
Jeff Trewhitt, spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Washington, said these discount cards are the latest approach to improving access to medications.Both companies offer their cards free of charge to Medicare recipients with an annual income of less than 300% of the federal poverty level–about $26,000 per year for an individual or $35,000 for a couple. About 80% of Medicare recipients without prescription drug coverage–around 10 million Americans–may be eligible for the Novartis program, the company estimated.
The Novartis CareCard covers 36 drugs that are used extensively by older patients. These include drugs to treat fungal infections, hypertension, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, and osteoporosis. Apligraft (graftskin) and hormone replacement therapies are also covered.Physicians should refer potentially
eligible patients to a local pharmacy to help them fill out the paperwork for the card. Pharmacists will get a consultation fee for providing this service, saidJeffrey Thomas, vice president for customer marketing, economic development, and strategic alliances for Novartis.
