An Alternative: Making Drugs Affordable

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America reported on Feb. 22 that a record number of patients received free or discounted medications from America's pharmaceutical companies last year as part of an industry initiative to help low-income consumers access the medications they need. "PhRMA member companies know a medication that sits on a shelf, out of financial reach of patients, helps no one," said Billy Tauzin, president and chief executive officer of PhRMA. Under these programs, consumers received more than 22 million prescriptions with a wholesale value of $4.17 billion in 2004, up from 18 million prescriptions with a value of $3.4 billion in 2003.