Costs are rising and, contrary to the mainstream media stories, few older citizens can just hop on a bus and go to Canada for a prescription every 30 days. There are several vehicles physicians can and should use to make sure needy patients get prescriptions. I spoke with Bob Huber at Pfizer on December 9th, 2000. Seniors who have coverage typically use 21 prescriptions a year. Trying to understand the regulations is very tricky as the pharmaceutical companies are not forthcoming, just the opposite.
Most programs require the patients to apply through their doctors.
The doctors are not informed because generally it falls to the sales reps to promote the programs. In today's climate, with the average doctor allowing 10 minutes per patient, one can understand why doctors are not aware of these benefits. In reality the doctor writes a two-sentence letter to the pharmaceutical company without any other documentation. The corporate drug programs are underutilized. I see this as political not philanthropic.