Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Assistance Programs

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Abstract
INADEQUATE PAYMENT mechanisms for prescription drugs present a glaring defect in the American health care system.1 Drug expenditures in the United States increased by nearly 13% annually between 1994 and 1997. This represents a more rapid growth rate than any other category of health services.2 While some of this expense is covered by various health insurance plans, the cost for prescription medications often falls directly on individuals or health care systems that provide care for indigent patients. Future increases in the cost of prescription medications may result in health care systems limiting prescription benefits for patients, forcing consumers to pay more for medications and resulting in reduced adherence to medication regimens as prescriptions go unfilled.

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