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WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In just six months, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a national program dedicated to helping people in need access prescription medicines, has matched more than one million patients with assistance programs that likely meet their needs. The PPA is the largest private-sector effort to connect uninsured or underinsured patients to patient assistant programs, many of which provide medicines for free or nearly free. America's pharmaceutical research companies launched the program on April 5th of this year in partnership with prominent health care, physician and patient advocacy organizations.

"The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is changing thousands of lives everyday," said Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). "Put it in perspective: the PPA has helped more people than live in cities like Detroit, San Francisco or Washington, D.C."

Through a toll-free number and user-friendly Web site, the PPA provides a single point of access to more than 2,500 prescription medicines and 475 public and private patient assistance programs. The more than one million patients matched through the PPA join the millions of patients who have benefited from individual company programs directly.

"Without health insurance, my monthly drug bill was more than $1,000," said Kendall DePascal of San Diego, California. "Now, patient assistance programs cover 100% of my prescription drug costs. The PPA is a blessing."

Among the PPA's 1,200 local and national member organizations are the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), National Association of Chain Drug Stores, American Cancer Society, United Way and the NAACP.

"As a family physician, I am grateful that this program has helped so many patients across the country get the medicines they need and proud of the role the AAFP has played in the program's success," said Dr. Mary E. Frank, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians. "The ultimate goal for physicians is getting the right medication to the right patient at the right time. The PPA plays a critical role in helping make that happen."

The PPA is also providing seniors with information about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. Patients can access the PPA by calling the toll- free number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) or by visiting the PPA's interactive Web site (http://www.pparx.org).

SOURCE Partnership for Prescription Assistance Web Site: http://www.pparx.org