| In the Charlottesville region, over 29,000 persons are estimated to be uninsured. Over 22,000 people live below the federal poverty level. Of the uninsured in Virginia, 27.6% report that they have been unable to fill a prescription due to the cost. For the Charlottesville area, this represents over 8,000 individuals.
Prescription Assistance Programs (PAP), provided nationally by most drug companies, offer free medications to low income, uninsured persons. However, help in applying for this assistance is often unavailable or accessible in a very limited way. The process is complicated, as each company has its own application form and eligibility guidelines.
The Charlottesville Free Clinic reports that only 125 out of approximately 800 clients who are likely eligible for PAP assistance currently receive this help. Likewise, Region Ten Community Services Board has very limited staff time available to complete PAP applications for clients needing medications. In its nine satellite clinics, Martha Jefferson Hospital estimates that over 200 patients are eligible but not receiving PAP medications. The number is likely to increase as several clinics will no longer be providing sample medications to patients.
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