AstraZeneca Partners With Mercy Primary Care Center to Help Michigan Uninsured
The AZ&Me(TM) Prescription Savings program for healthcare facilities provides
medicines free of charge to community free clinics, community health centers,
hospitals and other qualifying facilities that serve the uninsured. This
enables patients to quickly get the medicines they need, often at the same
place they receive their medical care.
"AstraZeneca recognizes that providing affordable and accessible healthcare to
uninsured and underinsured Americans is critical to building healthy
communities," said Jennifer McGovern, Director, Patient Assistance Programs,
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP.
In 2008, AstraZeneca provided $17.3 million in savings to more than 11,600
patients in Michigan. Nationally, the company helped more than 440,000
patients save $612 million on their medicines.
MPCC provides quality medical services to uninsured adults in Detroit between
the ages of 18 and 64. MPCC serves as a medical home for 1,000 active
patients, providing primary care, lab and radiology services, limited
specialty care, transportation and medication. Through partnerships with
community providers and organizations committed to the uninsured, MPCC is able
to provide patients with high quality care including chronic disease
management for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and depression.
According to Detroit's Wayne State University School of Medicine, there are
currently approximately 250,000 individuals lacking health insurance in the
city. Combined community resources are only sufficient to provide care for
50,000 of these individuals, leaving a critical need for partnerships that
expand access.
"At Mercy Primary Care, we strive to eliminate the common barriers to quality
care that many uninsured individuals face, and the AZ&Me(TM) program for
healthcare facilities will help us work toward this goal," said Aiisya
Williamson, Executive Director, Mercy Primary Care Center. "In this
challenging economic climate, our partnership with AstraZeneca will allow us
to help more Detroit residents in need access their medicines."
The next enrollment day where uninsured Detroit residents can apply by phone
for medical services at MPCC is November 3, 2009.
State Representative Betty Cook Scott said: "In the area I serve, I know many
families and seniors who are on limited incomes and struggle with making 'ends
meet.' The tragic reality is that there are those who are sometimes forced to
do without medications they need because they are not able to pay for them. I
applaud AstraZeneca's efforts to extend a hand to those who need help
accessing their medicines. We must ensure that Detroit residents are aware of
resources like Mercy Primary Care Center and the AZ&Me Prescription Savings
program for healthcare facilities, which can make a difference in the health
of our families, our neighbors and our communities."
The AZ&Me Prescription Savings program for healthcare facilities is available
to non-profit organizations that have a licensed outpatient pharmacy or
dispensary on site and meet other program criteria. Patients are eligible for
AstraZeneca medicines through this program if they do not have prescription
drug coverage and have a household income at or below $30,000 for an
individual, or $60,000 for a family of four.
