Help for uninsured people with allergies and asthma or taking other Merck drugs

[prolesunited]

I've been trying to figure out how to pay for my Singulair script. The cheapest I could find it was $130 for 30 days at Target. I've been going without, but with the mold counts so high and fall allergy season kicking in soon, I haven't been doing very well.

Asthma meds are so hard because they are VERY expensive and no generics or cheaper substitutes are available. Luckily, I still have some Advair left because those run more than $200 a pop. I've been able to control my blood pressure, cholesterol, and prediabetes with diet and exercise, but there's not much "lifestyle choice" involved with allergies and asthma.

Anyway, the last pharmacist at Walgreens (very nice and helpful) I talked to on my quest suggested I check the manufacturer's Web site for assistance programs and I wanted to share this info who may be in the same situation.

Here's the meds you can get FREE if you qualify:
* ASMANEX® (mometasone furoate inhalation powder)
* AVELOX® (moxifloxacin)
* BILTRICIDE® (praziquantel)
* CLARINEX® (desloratadine)
* CLARINEX-D® (desloratadine 5mg/pseudoephedrine sulfate, SUP 240mg)
* COSOPT® (dorzolamide hydrocloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution)
* COZAAR® (losartan potassium tablets)
* DULERA® (mometasone furoate / formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol
* FORADIL® AEROLIZER® (formoterol fumarate inhalation powder)
* HYZAAR® (losartan potassium hydrochlorothiazide tablets)
* JANUMET® (sitagliptin/metformin HCL)
* JANUVIA® (sitagliptin)
* MAXALT® (rizatriptan benzoate) Tablets
* MAXALT-MLT® (rizatriptan benzoate) Orally Disintegrating Tablets
* NASONEX® (mometasone furoate monohydrate)
* PROVENTIL® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol
* SAPHRIS® (asenapine) Sublingual Tablets
* SINGULAIR® (montelukast sodium) Tablets and Chewable Tablets
* TRUSOPT® (dorzolamide hydrochloride ophthalmic solution)
* VYTORIN® (ezetimibe/simvastatin) Tablets
* ZETIA® (ezetimibe) Tablets

If you have been prescribed a Merck medicine, you may be eligible for the program if all 3 of the following conditions apply:
1. You are a US resident and have a prescription for a Merck medicine from a doctor licensed in the United States.*

AND
2. You do not have insurance or other coverage for your prescription medicine.
Some examples of other insurance coverage include private insurance, HMOs, Medicaid, Medicare, state pharmacy assistance programs, veterans assistance, or any other social service agency support.

AND
3.You cannot afford to pay for your medicine. You may qualify for the program if you have a household income of $43,320 or less for individuals, $58,280 or less for couples, or $88,200 or less for a family of 4.**

More details at this link:
http://www.merck.com/merckhelps/patientassistance/home.html


I'm going to see if I can get the Singulair, Clarinex-D and Nasonex. Now, I hope my doctor will fill out his part of the form without charging me $125 for an office visit. He did a complete physical and all my blood work in February before my COBRA ran out.

It will take awhile to process, but at least I have some hope. I've been in tears for days over this. I can barely pay the mortgage on unemployment (and had a HUGE gap with that whole extension snafu) and my garden is the only thing that keeps me eating well. It's not a matter of food or medicine. It's a matter of housing or medicine. (And, no, I don't have a big mortgage, probably less than many pay for rent.)

I hope this helps someone else. And check with your drug manufacturer. I was surprised how generous the income guidelines are.

[prolesunited]

1. Anybody helped by this?

[wildflower]

2. Thanks so much for this information

It's greatly appreciated!