(NAPSA)—Oneof the greatest anxieties Americans face today is worry over loss of health and prescription drug insurance. Often, it’s the most vulnerable populations who suffer from gaps in health care coverage, such as the aged, immigrants and minori- ties. Low-wage workersare also at especially great risk, as are people employed in small businesses, service industries and blue-collar jobs. “As a physician, I see uninsured patients struggling to meet their health care bills including the cost of medication,” said Dr. Merck Prescription Discount Program No age or incomeconstraints Instant SavingsCertificate provides immediate savings at local pharmacies Enrollmentis easy andfree No annual membershipfeesforlife of the program Available at almost all U.S. pharmacies. To enroll: Call 1-800-50 MERCK (1-800-506- endocrinologist and professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. “Whenever I write a prescription for my patients, cost has to be a 3725) between 8 am and 8 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday. Spanishspeaking operators are available e Visit www.merckuninsured.com Mail in an enrollment form available at local pharmacies and doctor's offices are paying for medications out-of- that discounts offered through the a difference.” Prescription discount drug programs, such as the one launched by Merck earlier this year are responding to the problem. “With the number of uninsured soaring by five million in the past five years to a high of 45 million, it’s not surprising that Americans are more worried about theloss of health and prescription drug insurance than the loss of a job or home,” and are not intended to be a substitute for insurance. Margo Denke, a private-practice consideration. For patients who pocket, any cost savings can make said Margaret McGlynn, President, U.S. Human Health, Merck & Co., Inc., referring to a recent public opinion poll by Zogby International. For the first month of the Merck program, more than 15,000 people enrolled. “Initial interest in the program showsthat there is a real need for help,” said McGlynn. “While this program doesn’t solve the problem of uninsured Americans, we believe it is a step in the right direction.” It is important to note Merck program are not insurance Anyone without prescription drug insurance regardless of age or incomeis eligible for the pro- gram, which offers discounts of 15 to 40 percent off many Merck medicines, Merck advertises the program in dozens of English- and Spanish-language consumer magazines and on national radio networks. The company also works with grassroots organizations to distribute enrollment information in local communities. Public officials and leaders from national organizations such as the AARP andthe Alliance for Children and Families, have applauded the program as a step in the right direction. Senator Edward Kennedy, D-MA, has called on all pharmaceutical manufacturers to follow Merck’s example, while John Rother, Director of Policy and Strategy for the AARP, says the program is in line with his organization’s own advocacyefforts on behalf of millions of Americans wholack health coverage. The pro- gram has been designed to be as easy as possible to enroll in and use. Patients can enroll over the phone or the Web, and, when accepted, will receive a membership ID that they can use at their local pharmaciesright away. Prior to enrollment, patients can present an innovative Instant Savings Certificate to their pharmacist along with a valid prescription and immediately save at least 10 percent on many Merck pre- scriptions. The certificates are available free in pharmacies and doctors’ offices. Patients also can print out certificates at www.mer ckuninsured.com. To enroll in the program to obtain greater savings of 15 to 40 percent, patients can: * Call 1-800-50 MERCK (1800-506-3725) between 8 am and 8 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday. Spanish-speaking operators are available. Visit www.merckuninsured. com. Mail in an enrollment form that they can obtain at their local pharmacy and doctor’soffice. Enrollment is free and easy, and there is no annual membership or hiddenfees. “We believe our medicines should be available to everyone, regardless of whether they have drug coverage,” McGlynnsaid. The company has a legacy of putting patientsfirst, according to McGlynn, by helping Medicare beneficiaries afford the medicines they need and through its Patient Assistance Program, which has provided free Merck medicines to patients for 50 years.
