As the cost of health care rises, including the price tag of prescription medications, patients need to find ways to save money on medications. Some people qualify for free or low cost prescription medicines through prescription assistance programs. Patient Assistant Programs are commonly called PAPs, and are services typically offered by pharmaceutical companies to help those who cannot afford their medications.

There are a number of these programs out there. Today, we'll showcase three of them.
Patient Assistance. This organization is a non-profit that houses a database of over 1,000 prescription assistance programs for those in the need. Once you find a suitable program from the website, simply sign up right there. The sight enables you to manage your applications, all free of charge. There's even information on prescription health discount cards.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARx). You might be familiar with this one from the commercials on television featuring Montel Williams. One of the program's promotion is the big orange bus and "Help is Here". PPARx doesn't issue prescription medications itself. Rather, it helps patients through its portal connect with programs that offer medications cost assistance.

Needy Meds. Needy Meds is a comprehensive website that helps patients will various kinds of medical assistance, including access to free or low-cost prescription medications. Applications to prescription assistance program are available online, along with instructions on where they should be sent. A Needy Meds drug discount card is also available for enrollment. The site holds webinars and has disease resource pages as well.