Drug industry rolls out Web site for bargains 275 assistance plans offer help paying for prescriptions

The drug industry on Tuesday launched a Web site that it says willhelp uninsured Illinois residents hunt for bargains on prescriptiondrugs.

Dozens of government and drug company assistance programs offerdrugs at reduced prices, and in some cases, for free. But it'sdifficult for seniors and other uninsured residents to keep track ofthese plans.

The new Web site, www.rx forillinois.org, is funded byPharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, a drug industrygroup. For those who lack Internet access, there's a toll-freenumber, (877) 793-6745.

'Stop gouging consumers'

While the Web site could help consumers reduce their drug costs,it's not a substitute for insurance coverage, said Dee Mahan ofFamilies USA, a health care consumer group. "It's a shame people haveto cobble together all these programs."

The industry Web site targets the same audience as the state'sdrug Web site, www.i-saverx.net. The state site helps uninsuredresidents save 25 percent to 50 percent by buying prescription drugsabroad.

Gov. Blagojevich supports the industry Web site, said spokeswomanAbby Ottenhoff. But she added that the industry "could easilyeliminate the need for all the discount programs if they would justcut their U.S. prices and stop gouging American consumers."

1,800 drugs on site

RxforIllinois.org includes 275 assistance programs and 1,800prescription drugs. Say, for example, that a 70-year-old uninsuredconsumer with a gross income of $25,000 wants to know what help isavailable for the arthritis drug Celebrex.

According to the site, this consumer would qualify for a free 30-day supply from Celebrex's manufacturer, Pfizer, financial aid fromthe state's Circuit Breaker pharmaceutical program or a reduced pricethrough a Medicare discount card. Many of the assistance plans on theindustry Web site are restricted to the elderly or people with low ormoderate incomes.