Millions of uninsured Americans could save money on prescriptions under a discount program that 10 major drug makers unveiled Tuesday. The Together Rx Access Card program allows those who meet income and age requirements to save 25 percent to 40 percent -- and sometimes more -- on more than 275 brand-name prescription drugs and a host of generic drugs. The program is the latest in a trend by drug manufacturers to offer their own discount cards to those without health care coverage who struggle to pay skyrocketing drug prices. “It’s free to get, it’s free to use and the savings are real,” said Roba Whitely, executive director of Together Rx Access. Consumer groups have called similar discount cards a way for drug companies, rather than the government, to control who saves money and how much is saved. The cards offer some savings from already high prices while attracting new customers for the companies’ products. Participating firms for the new card include Abbott Laboratories Inc., AstraZeneca , Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc. Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. . Patients can enroll in the new card or find more information on the Web site www.TogetherRxAccess.com or by calling 1-800-444-4106.
