Free Prescription Drugs to Unemployed Courtesy of Pfizer, Inc

Pfizer, Inc. has launched its MAINTAIN program, which seeks to help provide free prescription drugs to the nation's recently unemployed, according to a press release available on Pfizer's site. MAINTAIN, which is an acronym for Medicines Assistance for Those who Are in Need, stemmed from Pfizer employees seeing their own friends and neighbors going without their prescriptions or struggling to pay for their prescriptions due to job losses. Pfizer's MAINTAIN program targets those Americans who have lost their job since January 1. Enrollment and acceptance in the MAINTAIN program will allow the recently unemployed and their families the ability to receive their Pfizer prescriptions free for one year.

Who is eligible for free prescription medication Pfizer's MAINTAIN program?

In order to be eligible to receive free Pfizer prescription medication under the MAINTAIN program, an enrollee must have lost their job since January 1, attest to having a financial need, have been taking a Pfizer medication for at least 3 months prior to losing their job and have no prescription drug insurance. There are no income guidelines that need met to qualify for enrollment in this program.

How to apply for MAINTAIN

According the Pfizer site, those meeting the above criteria can call Pfizer at 1-866-706-2400 before June 1 to have an application mailed to them. After June 1, the application will be made available online for download. Applications will be processed in 2-3 weeks and if accepted, the free prescription medications will be mailed directly to qualified individuals at their home address. 70 Pfizer medications are included, including cholesterol drug, Lipitor and Erectile Dysfunction drug, Viagra, as well as many other drugs treating common conditions such as diabetes and fibromyalgia, according to the Associated Press.

Other Pfizer programs available if medication is not covered under MAINTAIN

Pfizer has many other prescription drug assistance programs, which can be viewed on their website. If an applicant is taking a medication not covered under the MAINTAIN program, Pfizer says they will assist the individual in attempting to find a suitable program to meet their needs. Though the MAINTAIN program focuses primarily on those who have found themselves recently jobless, those who aren't recently unemployed but who are struggling to pay for their prescription medications may wish to contact Pfizer or peruse their programs to determine if they can benefit from one of Pfizer's many drug assistance programs to enable them to receive their Pfizer medications free or at a lower cost. Not including the newly minted MAINTAIN free prescription drug program, Pfizer's site lists 7 other Pfizer prescription drug assistance programs, along with prescription drug savings resources.

Sources:
http://www.pfizer.com/news/press_releases/pfizer_press_releases.jsp?rssUrl=http://mediaroom.pfizer.com/portal/site/pfizer/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&ndmConfigId=1016273&newsId=20090514005582&newsLang=en
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_pfizer_free_drugs
http://media.pfizer.com/files/pfizer_maintain_application_051409.pdf
http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/Find/findall.aspx