NeedyMeds’
Patient Advocate News Helping you and your clients access medications and health care.
FROM THE EDITOR
Getting the Most out of NeedyMeds
We are really excited about things that are going on at NeedyMeds and are aiming to publish Patient Advocate News monthly. We also have a new look! Each issue will be a little shorter, but we hope that its more frequent publication will mean you will be kept more in the loop with all things NeedyMeds. We have had an overwhelming response to our Spanish version of our website, and we continually set new monthly records for our drug discount card, which was used 23,162 times in August 2011 and helped save cardholders $753,605.58 in prescription drug costs.
Not sure where to start using NeedyMeds? Wondering how to find certain information? In this new section we’ll feature a particular NeedyMeds resource to help you find the information you need.
If you’re excited about our impact on the world of patient assistance, then join our more than 1,600 Facebook friends, bookmark our website, www.needymeds.org, and stay tuned! Vikki Sloviter Editor
The Drug Coupons page is one of the most visited on the NeedyMeds website. A variety of drug coupons can be found for free offers or substantial savings on brand name medicine. Examples are printable coupons or rebates for a specific dollar or percentage savings, free samples or 7-30 day trials, and savings cards, some of which can save consumers hundreds of dollars a year off their medications or co-pays. There are two ways to find coupons on www.needymeds.org. One is by clicking on the Drug Coupons link, which opens a page with all the coupons listed for brand name medications as well as over-the-counter products. They are listed in alphabetical order with the expiration date and the offer. The “Local Pharmacy Coupon” link directs you to the manufacturer website where the coupon can be printed or, in some instances, an online questionnaire or registration needs to be completed before the offer can be accessed. Some offers may require a physician’s signature or are for refills of current prescriptions. Free information kits or newsletters about medications may be the offer, but a free trial or an unadvertised coupon is included. The other way to find drug coupons is through the Brand Name Drugs link, which lists all the medications that have Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). A green Coupon icon appears next to the medications that also have a coupon available. Clicking on the icon brings you to the Drug Coupons page with the coupon. Whether you’re searching for some assistance with a medication co-pay, wanting to save $2 off an over-the-counter product, or interested in trying a free sample, www.needymeds.org can be your drug coupons information source. We also appreciate hearing from consumers or manufacturers if there is a coupon available that we don’t have on our website. Please email us at coupons@needymeds.org.
In this Issue
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NeedyMeds News & Updates Facts
PATIENT ADVOCATE NEWS
Spotlight on Advocate Joanna Smith
5
Meet NeedyMeds’ Damaris Mercedes
OCTOBER 2011
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Drug Discount Card and PAP Tracker
7
PAP Updates Staff Listing
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