Free medicines are available through the pharmaceutical companies’ Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), which may be accessed for individual prescriptions using The Pharmacy Connection (TPC) software or through a bulk replacement / Institutional PAP. Learn about the Virginia Health Care Foundation’s TPC software and its RxRelief Virginia initiative.

1. PAPs and MAPs:
What’s working in Virginia

2. What is a PAP?
Patient Assistance Program
188 pharmaceutical manufacturers offer
PAPs
PAPs provide eligible patients with access
to brand-name medications for free
3-month supply of medicine is mailed to the
physician’s office; some are mailed directly
to the patient’s home address

3. What is a MAP?
Medication Assistance Program
Employs a Medication Assistance Caseworker
(MAC) or Patient Advocate to help the patient apply
for free medicines to treat chronic disease.
Applications are complex, require proof of income,
physician signatures, and differ from one company
to the next.
MAPs streamline the process with the use of
computer software to produce multiple applications
for the same patient and track delivery of the
medication to the patient.

4. The Pharmacy Connection
Software developed by VHCF to facilitate
the ordering and tracking of medications
through the PAPs.
Automatically determines if patient’s income
meets the PAP eligibility requirements
Reduces administrative time required to
complete multiple applications.
Tracks application status and meds
ordered, re-order date, and produces
reports.

5. RxRelief Virginia
RxRelief Virginia is an initiative of VHCF which
is funded through $1.3 million appropriation of
the General Assembly.
28 organizations receive grants to cover the
salaries of 39 FTE MACs serving 76 localities.
In FY09, through RxR, approximately 108,000
prescriptions were requested for 14,000
patients at a wholesale value of over $43
million.

6. Greater Williamsburg MAP
The Williamsburg Community Health
Foundation provides funding for 9 MACs in 6
health care organizations in its service area
(greater Williamsburg).
VHCF administers the program.
3 are free clinics; 1 is a CSB; 2 are FQHC’s.
In the last fiscal year, the MACs requested
13,560 prescriptions valued at $5.9 million for
over 2,200 patients.

7. Track Record in Virginia
157 organizations and MD offices use TPC
In FY09, TPC generated
298,219 requests
46,105 patients served
$124 million in free meds
Comments from users:
“Always on top of the drug info.”
“TPC is such a great program! It saves time and energy in
accessing the meds.”
“Very user friendly and very comprehensive.”

8. Generics versus brand-name
Prescribing generics is easy, but
patient’s cost can mount up for multiple
drugs.
May be appropriate for some patients
Available immediately with no paperwork.
Brand-name medicine may suit the
patient’s needs better. Physician and
MAC consult on what is available.

9. Bridge Medicines
PAP meds arrive 4 -6 weeks after
ordered.
Use generic or sample to bridge gap.
Vouchers may be offered to cover the
cost at a local pharmacy.

10. The future of RxRelief Virginia
No new funding opportunities through
VHCF’s RxRelief Virginia initiative.
Some programs have extended their
services to Free Clinics, CHC’s and MD
practices in their area.
Technical assistance in establishing a
MAP is available by contacting Sarah
Jane Stewart at VHCF.

11. Contact:
Sarah Jane Stewart
Coordinator
RxRelief Virginia
Virginia Health Care Foundation
434-361-0331 (home office)
sarahjane@vhcf.org