Needy get
prescription
drug helpA state program offers
access to medications for
low-income groups
About 3,000 islanders who cannot afford to buy prescription drugs are getting them free or for a minor cost through the new Hawaii Prescription Care program.
The two-year program, established statewide with $3 million from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, is designed to reach 20,000 people by June 30. It links people who need drugs to pharmaceutical companies that donate drugs.
Gov. Linda Lingle worked with the Hawaii Medical Association, state Department of Health, Hawaii Health Systems Corp. and Hawaii Primary Care Association to start the program, which is modeled after a program at Maui Memorial Hospital.
They formed a nonprofit Hawaii Prescription Care Association to provide access to medication for low-income, chronically ill, underinsured and uninsured people who meet certain financial criteria.
Hawaii Prescription Care was established as a two-year program but is intended to be available until a federal prescription drug plan or some other solution materializes.
"We're looking at a number of options and ways to address the problem as long as it needs to be addressed," said Jane Kadohiro, state Health Department deputy director. "We don't see it ending June 30 of 2005."
Most children are covered through state resources, but program officials want to meet the needs of vulnerable populations "as we're looking for longer-term solutions to this humongous problem," she said.
The state Legislature passed a law last year, modeled after a Maine law, to make prescription drugs available to about 228,000 island residents without drug coverage. However, Lingle withheld a $200,000 appropriation to implement the law because of legal concerns.
Sen. Ron Menor (D, Mililani) and Rep. Roy Takumi (D, Pearl City-Pacific Palisades) visited Maine and plan to amend Hawaii's law next session with some changes Maine is making in its Rx-Plus law to prevent legal challenges.
They hope to win support for the law from Lingle's prescription drug task force, pointing out that her Hawaii Prescription Care plan is temporary.
Hawaii Prescription Care is working with more than 100 pharmaceutical companies, which have different criteria and do the qualifying, said Azure McCall, marketing director for the program. "We offer no medical advice; we give no information. We just process applications."
She said the office has received fresh vegetables and other gifts from grateful clients. "One guy called and said: 'Thank you, you have saved my life. I got medicine. I didn't have any money to get it before.'"
The Prescription Care Office, headed by Executive Director Sharon Hicks, has 27 client service representatives. They identify the company that makes the brand-name drug prescribed and forward the application.
"We had one person get medications in a week, the shortest length of time," McCall said. "We say four to six weeks in case of paperwork."
The seven-page application can be a challenge for seniors, but once a person is in the system, no more paperwork is required, she said.
"When they receive their medications, we tell them to call our office immediately. We go into the computer, say the medications have been received, and they get refills automatically."
McCall is doing extensive outreach to hospitals, senior facilities, medical offices and other places to distribute brochures and application forms. "We really want these people to get their medications, and I want to reach 20,000 people. I'd like to reach 50,000 people."
Most companies provide a 90-day supply of medicine to the physician's office. Some programs offer a one-year supply, and others a one-month supply. Most are free, but some may require a $5 or $10 payment.
Meanwhile, people are encouraged to talk to their doctor about samples or the community health centers, which run a medicine bank for registered clients, Kadohiro said.
To enroll, a person must call Hawaii Prescription Care at 599-6000 or 800-599-6441 to obtain a packet with application forms for the patient and physician to complete.
Patients must provide proof of their income and agree to share private information with companies that manufacture the drugs.
