Do drug companies help pay for chemotherapy?

Kathy in melbourne fl asked...

Do drug companies help pay for chemotherapy?

Expert Answer

Bonnie Bajorek Daneker is author and creator of the The Compassionate Caregiver's Series, which includes "The Compassionate Caregiver's Guide to Caring for Someone with Cancer," "The Journey of Grief," "Handbook on Hospice and Palliative Care," and other titles on cancer diagnosis and end of life. She speaks regularly at cancer research and support functions, including PANCAN and Cancer Survivor's Network. She is a former member of the Executive Committee of the CSN at St. Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta and the Georgia Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Drug companies help pay for chemotherapy in two ways: clinical trials and patient assistance programs. You can read more about clinical trials here .

Patient Assistance programs, also called indigent patient programs, are developed to assist low-income, high-need families get started on a chemo program. Each requires an application with demonstration of need. You can start by contacting these companies:

Bristol Myers Squibb

www.TogetherRxAccess.com

800-444-4106

Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Lillly Cares Program

www.lillycares.com

800-545-6962

If the patient needs medicine made by another company, research the contact information and write to them directly. Many companies have community outreach programs that have funding behind them. You can also try:

Partnership for Prescription Assistance

www.pparx.org

888-477-2669