Patient assistance programs

Novartis offers Patient Assistance Programs (PAP) for those experiencing financial hardship; patients of all ages can participate. These programs provide a growing number of single-source or life-sustaining medicines free of charge.

 

Prescription savings cards

Prescription savings cards that provide instant savings at the pharmacy counter can be a more effective way to provide financial relief while encouraging patient compliance with treatment.

Novartis was one of the first companies to launch a savings program for Medicare patients in the United States. The Novartis CareCard, introduced in 2001, provided substantial savings to Medicare beneficiaries who did not have prescription drug coverage.

Six months later, in cooperation with six other leading pharmaceutical companies, Novartis became a founding member of the Together Rx Card, which provided savings of 25-40% on a broader range of pharmaceuticals to eligible beneficiaries who had no prescription drug coverage. The Together Rx Card was discontinued in January 2006 when the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit became available. When the card was discontinued, there were 1.5 million people enrolled in the program and cardholders had received over USD 1 billion in savings.

In 2005, Novartis, in cooperation with nine other pharmaceutical companies, launched Together Rx Access, a prescription savings card for non-Medicare, uninsured Americans and their families. Over 300 brand name products are included in the Together Rx Access Program, as well as a wide range of generic products. Currently, more than one million people are enrolled in the Together Rx Access.