Improving access to medicines for patients without drug coverage is a complex issue

Long-term solutions can only be found if the government, private sector (including companies like us), and communities work together. At AstraZeneca, we recognize that we have an important role to play. Here are examples of our work in this arena:

• Expanding coverage for Medicare beneficiaries

  Along with millions of seniors and disabled Americans, AstraZeneca feels strongly that Medicare reform is essential so that all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of income, can receive the medicines they need. When the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act became law in 2003, Medicare made some significant improvements to the program. Now Medicare provides money-saving benefits on the life-enhancing and life-saving prescription drugs patients need.

  If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, the new Medicare benefits can help you to:

  • Save money on prescription drugs.
  • Obtain better preventive health care.
  • Have improved access to doctors and medical care.
  
  
• Reaching patients through health care organizations

  Educating patients about the available assistance options is important to us as a corporation. That’s why our network of third-party caregiver companies plays such an important role in our education and outreach activities. What we learn from our partnerships with these kinds of organization is invaluable, which is why we continue to meet with groups about drug assistance options for low-income and uninsured patients and about changes related to the new Medicare law.

• Partnerships with regional communities

  In 2004, AstraZeneca announced a new partnership with the MassMedLine program, a public-private partnership between the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. MassMedLine operates a toll-free prescription drug hotline for Massachusetts citizens who have trouble paying for prescription drugs.

  The two-year collaboration will educate and help Commonwealth seniors and disabled and underserved residents access medicines through drug assistance programs. Part of this collaborative effort brings timely information to seniors on the Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card Program.