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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2450 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Satisfy With A Simple, Flavorful Salad Improving Access To Prescription Drugs (NAPSA)—A unique initiative sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies is helping many of the millions of uninsured and financially struggling Americans who have problems getting the prescription medicines they need. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is helping patients connect with programs that provide affordable prescription drugs, as well as clinics and health care providers in their communities. Since its launch just three years ago, the initiative has helped nearly 5 million people. “No one’s helped by a medicine that sits on the shelf and is out of reach financially. That’s why the program is so important,” says Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which sponsors the PPA. Finding Help The program can be accessed at an easy-to-use Web site, www. pparx.org, or through a toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPANOW), where trained operators field calls in 150 languages. The program also includes the “Help Is Here Express” bus tour. Buses are staffed by trained specialists who can quickly help uninsured or financially struggling patients access information on more than 475 patient assistance programs, including over 200 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. Fighting Chronic Disease According to the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD), (NAPSA)—Tired of traditional potato salad? Orzo-Cucumber Salad is easier to make than classic potato salad and is a fresh addition to any summer menu. Delicate orzo pasta is tossed with olive oil and summer garden vegetables, along with cucumbers and onions for added crunch. Fresh dill and grated lemon peel round out the light flavors. Prepare the salad in advance and then easily serve it at your next grilling get-together or pack it for a healthy lunch. Nothing will remind you of the tasty seasonal produce of summer like this simple, flavorful salad. A national initiative connects people with programs that provide affordable prescription drugs. more than 133 million Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease. The group says it is imperative that these sufferers are not only aware of critical lifestyle issues such as the importance of diet and exercise, but also have access to the medicines they need. It’s thought that PPA could help. “By supporting the PPA, we want to help uninsured and financially struggling patients with chronic diseases get access to information on programs that offer free or nearly free prescription medicines,” said Dr. Paul Antony, chief medical officer of PhRMA. For more information on PPA, visit www.pparx.org or call 1-8884PPA-NOW. For more information on the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, visit www.fight chronicdisease.org. For information on new medicines being developed to fight chronic and other diseases, visit www.PhRMA.org. Orzo-Cucumber Salad Prep Time: 18 minutes Chill Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 48 minutes ⁄4 cup uncooked orzo pasta, cooked and drained (2 cups cooked) 1 ⁄2 medium cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded and diced 1 ⁄4 cup finely chopped mushrooms 1 ⁄4 cup chopped orange bell pepper 1 medium green onion, sliced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 1 ⁄3 cup olive oil 11⁄2 teaspoons grated lemon peel 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 ⁄4 teaspoon salt 3 Blend all ingredients in medium bowl; toss to mix. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to blend flavors. 4 to 6 servings. For more recipes and information about olive oil, visit www.aboutoliveoil.org. Watch Your Eyes When Playing Sports (NAPSA)—While the American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that 40,000 people suffer from eye injuries related to sports every year, the good news is you don’t have to be among them. It helps if you wear appropriate, sport-specific protective eyewear properly fitted by an eye care professional. Lenses made from polycarbonate materials provide the highest level of impact protection; they can withstand a ball or other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour. Doctor’s Advice “It’s absolutely necessary for athletes to use protective eyewear because eye injuries can be devastating,” said glaucoma specialist Dr. Ruth Williams. “Unfortunately, many athletes feel they don’t need protective eyewear or that injuries are uncommon.” In addition to abrasions of the cornea and bruises of the lids, sports injuries can include retinal detachments and internal bleeding. The most serious risks involve permanent vision loss along with infection. In addition, people who have sustained eye injuries are at greater risk for developing glaucoma. Many sports create risk for eye injuries; however, protection is available for most sports, including basketball, baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball, water polo, golf and many others. “Wearing properly fitted protective eyewear will not harm your performance in a game, and it may well save your sight,” said Dr. Williams. Pointers For Parents Most sporting leagues don’t require children to wear eye protection, so parents should take special care to ensure that their Protective goggles can help you see your way clear to enjoying sports safely. children wear eye protection. “Parents can spare their children needless injury and pain by having them wear protective eyewear,” said Dr. Williams. When To Get Help In the event of an eye injury, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Even a seemingly light blow can cause a serious eye injury. If a black eye, pain or visual problem occurs after a blow, contact your Eye M.D. or seek emergency medical help at once. About the American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 27,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three “Os”—opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all—eye diseases and injuries—and perform eye surgery. More Information Learn about eye diseases, your risk factors and the names of eye M.D.s nearby at www.GetEye Smart.org or www.aao.org. Editor’s Note: For high-resolution images, contact the Academy’s media relations department for download information.