PHILADELPHIA, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- David Stout, President of Pharmaceutical Operations for GlaxoSmithKline , made the following statement today after a meeting with members of US Senate Finance Committee on providing assistance to low-income Medicare patients:
"GlaxoSmithKline is today stepping up to provide assistance to Medicare Part D patients by re-opening its patient assistance programs to patients who were enrolled in the programs previously this year. Medicare Part D-enrolled patients with limited incomes will be able to reapply for GSK's patient assistance programs which will provide transitional assistance to Medicare Part D patients through the end of the year."
GlaxoSmithKline continues to discuss the details of its proposed new patient assistance program for eligible Medicare Part D enrollees with the HHS Office of Inspector General. On approval of the company's proposed plan, GSK will communicate these additional changes regarding assistance for eligible Medicare Part D patients.
In response to implementation of Medicare Part D and the issuance of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Special Advisory Bulletin on Patient Assistance Programs, GSK had previously announced that Part D eligible patients would no longer qualify for the company's Patient Assistance Programs after May 15, 2006, the initial enrollment deadline. The company also said that patients who enrolled in Medicare Part D plans would no longer be eligible for its patient assistance programs. Following the issuance of the OIG Advisory Opinion 06-03 in April which clarified potential legal exposure issues, GSK said that it would continue to provide PAP assistance to those patients on GSK medicines who are not enrolled in Medicare Part D by the May 15th enrollment deadline.
The changes being announced today will allow patients who have been enrolled in any GlaxoSmithKline patient assistance program since January 1st to access the programs. These former enrollees in GSK's patient assistance programs must continue to satisfy the programs' existing eligibility requirements, which are:
-- income no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for Bridges to Access, -- income no greater than 350% of the Federal Poverty Level for the Commitment to Access, the patient assistance program for oncology medicines, and -- ineligible for the Medicare Part D low income subsidy.
GSK will notify program enrollees and their Part D Plans that the transitional assistance provided by GSK should not count toward the patient's out-of-pocket costs for the Medicare Part D plan.
GlaxoSmithKline will be sending letters to qualified elderly and disabled patients explaining the details of the changes announced today to the company's patient assistance programs. In the interim, Medicare eligible patients with questions on GSK's patient assistance programs can call the company's toll-free customer service center at 1-888-825-5249.
GlaxoSmithKline has a long tradition of providing free medicines to those who need help in getting their medicines. Last year, GSK provided more than 565,000 patients with $464 million in medicines through its patient assistance programs that benefit low-income patients of all ages.
About GlaxoSmithKline's Patient Assistance Programs in the US
Bridges to Access
Bridges to Access provides outpatient medications to eligible low-income patients residing in the United States who do not have prescription drug benefits. Bridges to Access (1-866-PATIENT) is the program for non-oncology products.
Commitment to Access
Through Commitment to Access, GlaxoSmithKline provides eligible low-income patients with access to our oncology products that are used in an outpatient setting. We also provide reimbursement support services to help the patient find alternate funding sources for other healthcare services.
GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
GlaxoSmithKlineCONTACT: US Media inquiries - Nancy Pekarek, +1-215-751-7709, Mary AnneRhyne, +1-919-483-2839, Patty Seif, +1-215-751-7709, or Gaile Renegar,+1-215-751-7709; UK Media inquiries - Phil Thomson, Alice Hunt or GwenanEvans, (020) 8047 5502, all of GSK
Web site: http://www.gsk.com/
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