Concerta Patient Assistance Programs

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Concerta is a stimulant prescription drug used as part of a complete program to treat adults and children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD.^[1] Concerta's patient assistance program is managed by Johnson and Johnson Health Care Systems, an affiliate of the drug's manufacturer Janssen Pharmaceuticals.^[2] The Johnson and Johnson Health Care Systems assistance program also covers some non-prescription drugs and consumer products like Splenda.^{[2] [3]} Another program, the Partnership for Patient Assistance is an umbrella organization created to direct eligible patients to sources for free or discounted drugs and other healthcare services. An additional program, Together Rx access, provides a discount drug card for eligible patients.^[2]

Contents 1 Concerta Information 2 Patient Assistance Program Overview 3 Concerta Patient Assistance Programs 4 References

Concerta Information

Concerta is the brand name for methylphenidate HCl, a prescription drug manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and approved by the FDA in 2000.^[4] Concerta is used both in children over the age of six and in adults.^[1] There is an authorized generic version of methylphenidate HCl, manufactured by the same company that makes the brand name drug Concerta but repackaged and marketed by Watson Laboratories.^[5] Concerta is a timed-release formula that is taken just once a day, so there is no need for children to take medications at school.^[1] Concerta is available in tablets of four strengths, ranging from 18 to 54 mg.^[4] Abuse of Concerta can lead to dependence.^[6]

Patient Assistance Program Overview

Concerta Patient Assistance Programs

An "Eligibility Tool" on the patient assistance webpage helps patients determine whether they can receive discounted or free medications. The simple questionnaire asks:

• Where the patient lives, in the US or its territories
• Age of patient
• Medicare eligibility
• Private prescription drug coverage, if any
• Size of household
• Family annual gross income^[2]

Through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, individuals can learn about public and private aid sources that provide medications at low or no cost to those who qualify.^[7] The Johnson and Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation website has portals not only for patients needing assistance but also for caregivers, health care professionals, hospital administrators and patient advocacy groups.^[8] The program includes many medications from varied cooperating manufacturers. Once the patient has applied online or through the mail, it takes only a short time for approval. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance website also has a long list of other organizations, like the American Kidney Fund and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, that also help those who qualify financially and medically to receive low cost or free medications.^[9]

Also See: Patient Assistance Programs, Drug Coupons, Drug Savings, Concerta, Concerta Coupons, Concerta and Pregnancy, Concerta Side Effects, Concerta Free Samples

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} http://www.concerta.net/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7} http://access2wellness.com/a2w/participating-companies.html
3. ↑ http://www.jjpaf.org/
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2000/21-121_Concerta.cfm
5. ↑ http://www.concerta.net/prescribing-information.html
6. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000606/
7. ↑ https://www.pparx.org/en/gethelp/select-meds
8. ↑ http://www.access2wellness.com/
9. ↑ http://www.pparx.org/en/prescription_assistance_programs/co-payment_programs