King Pharmaceuticals joins prescription drug-savings program, Together Rx Access

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King Pharmaceuticals joins prescription drug-savings program, Together Rx Access

Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 - 01:20 AM

BY Khristopher J. Brooks

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Bristol Herald Courier

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King Pharmaceuticals: http://www.kingpharm.com

Together Rx Access: http://www.togetherrxaccess.com

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Some consumers will begin saving money on their prescription drugs made by King Pharmaceuticals.

The Bristol-based drug company has joined Together Rx Access, a prescription drug-savings program started by the big-name pharmaceutical companies.

The move means those who qualify can save 25 to 40 percent on King drugs like Altace, Skelaxin, Avinza and Sonata.

"We’re always looking for ways to give our customers and patients access to our drugs, and this is a great program," said James Green, King’s spokesman.

The Together Rx program was started in January 2005 by a group of pharmaceutical companies as a response to the growing number of Americans without prescription drug coverage.

If accepted, Together Rx members receive a card they present when buying needed prescription drugs.

"It’s important for people to have access to the medicines they need to take care of their health," said Roba Whiteley, the program’s executive director. "So we really feel that this program is a tremendous benefit to people and having them be able to get access to their medicine."

There are more than 300 drugs produced by more than 20 companies covered by the program, Whiteley said. King joins dozens of other companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer and Novartis Pharmaceuticals in the program.

Green said officials from Together Rx came to Bristol last month and met with company officials. The presentation impressed King officials, so they decided to join.

"They took us through what it was all about and we were very excited about it," Green said.

King officials also decided to join the program because offering savings might entice new customers, he added.

"Our products are very important to maintaining a healthy life," Green said. "And this [program] provides them access to our products that help."

Whiteley said she’s happy that King joined the program. Her next goal is to get other pharmaceutical companies involved.

"We’re talking to a number of other companies," she said. "And we hope they’ll make the decision to join us."

kbrooks@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2549

You Should Know

How to apply: An application can be found at www.togetherrxaccess.com/apply.html; or call (800) 444-4106

The criteria for the program:

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Not eligible for Medicare

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No prescription drug coverage of any kind

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A legal citizen of the United States or Puerto Rico

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Annual income of equal to, or less than, $30,000 for a single person, $40,000 for a family of two, $50,000 for a family of three, $60,000 for a family of four or $70,000 for a family of five.