Patient Assistance Programs

Patient Assistance Programs (PAP, also known as Prescription Assistance Programs) are typically offered by pharmaceutical companies. The purpose of PAPs is to:

  1. assist uninsured patients obtain drugs that they cannot afford and
  2. assist under-insured patients obtain drugs that their insurance does not cover.

Under these programs, drugs are offered at a reduced price or free to patients who qualify. Patients can contact individual companies to find out about their programs. Some companies assist patients in finding PAP and/or in completing program applications.

Compassionate Use Programs

Through Compassionate Use (also known as Expanded Access) Programs, seriously ill patients—for whom no approved drug is available—may have access to experimental drugs, biologics, and medical devices (that is, ones that have not yet received regulatory approval).

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