A few areas in Florida have programs that will help an eligible individual obtain needed drugs. These programs usually are able to help only on a short-term or emergency basis. Many pharmaceutical companies offer free medications to those who need them, but are unable to pay for them. Most often the application must be submitted with a letter from the doctor prescribing the medication. If the application is approved, the medication is usually sent to, and dispensed through the patient's doctor.
Some programs have time limitations of from one to six months.
After the patient has received the medications for the time allowed under the program, the process must be reinitiated. Each company has its own set of forms and applications that must be completed. Because different drugs are made by different manufacturers, a separate application must be sent to each pharmaceutical company for each drug. In addition, different income qualifications exist for each company. There is no standardization of these programs because, according to the pharmaceutical companies, it would be impossible, due to the varying populations they serve and the many different types of medications available.