Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Georgia leaders, advocates welcome Lilly program that offers affordable medication to seniors in need

Governor Barnes joined senior and healthcare advocates recently to give their support to "Lilly Answers" a new program by Eli Lilly and Company that will make much-needed medications affordable for seniors who earn below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Barnes praised the pharmaceutical company for working to make its medications available to needy seniors. "By providing vital medications through a user-friendly system, our seniors will have access to drugs they might otherwise not have," he said. "Eli Lilly deserves great credit for the Lilly Answers program, which will help low-income seniors in Georgia and throughout the nation maintain their health."

Eli Lilly and Company's Lilly Answers program builds on the company's long tradition of patient assistance. Last year, the company provided more than $200 million worth of medications to seniors and the uninsured.

"Lilly Answers will provide real savings, right away, to Medicaid beneficiaries in the greatest need," said Sidney Laurel, chairman of the board, president and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company. "Our mission is to develop innovative medicines. And for those innovations to be of any real value, individuals must have access to those medicines."

As the fifth fastest growing state of 65-plus population in the United States, Georgia will feel a huge impact from the Lilly Answers program because Lilly makes medications that treat some of the most common ailments of aging, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, depression and dementia. The program will make these medications available for a flat fee of $12, offering seniors potential annual savings of more than $600 per product for chronic diseases.

The Lilly Answers program is available to Georgians 65 and older who are enrolled in Medicare, have an annual income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($18,000 for individuals, $24,000 per household) and have no other drug coverage. More than five million Americans are eligible to receive the Lilly Answers card.

Seniors may apply for the program at no cost by calling a toll-free number (1-877-RX-LILLY) or by filling out an application that will be supplied to physicians and pharmicists.

Two to four weeks after applying, consumers will be sent a Lilly Answers card which enables them to receive a 30-day supply of Lilly pharmaceutical products that are sold at participating retail pharmacies for a flat fee of $12.

Lilly products available under this program include:

Humulin and Humulog used to treat diabetes.

Evista prescribed for the prevention and treatment ofosteoporosis. Evista replaces estrogen selectively, building bone density without increasing a woman's risk of cancer.

Prozac the first of a new class of anti-depressants to revolutionize the treatment of depression without troubling side effects.

Zyprexa one of the leading atypical antipsycotic medications, used in the treatment of serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Georgia advocates had this to say about the new Lilly program:

"Access to prescription drugs and the affordability of those medications is a significant issue facing people with diabetes. For the more than 93,000 Georgians over the age of 65 who are diagnosed with diabetes, this type of a program can play an important role in improving their access to critical health care." Nancy Carlton, executive vice president, South Coastal Region, American Diabetes Association.

"Affordable prescriptions are one of the greatest needs of the seniors in our community. We are so pleased that Eli Lilly can make a dramatic improvement to their lives with their medications. We are looking forward to partnering with them to help get the Lilly Answers card to seniors in our area." Patricia Lyons, President of Senior Citizens, Inc., Savannah.

"The Surgeon General's report indicates that 1 in 5 Georgians have a brain disorder (or mental illness). Prescribing medication can be a powerful tool in the treatment of brain disorders. This program will help many people gain access to these tools." Mary Sloan executive director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Georgia.

Besides enhancing the lives of needy seniors by making these medications affordable, Lilly Answers offers needy seniors access to patient educational and health screening tools. Lilly also designed the program to make it as easy as possible for seniors, physicians and pharmacists. This is essential, since studies show that needy seniors underutilize pharmaceuticals relative to similar populations with drug coverage by up to 50 percent.

Lilly realizes this card is not a long-term solution for this population, and the company continues to support and work toward comprehensive reform that would include an integrated drug benefit for all seniors.

"Families, caregivers, communities and companies such as ours all recognize many seniors need extra assistance at this time," said Taurel. "We hope and expect that Congress will enact federal legislation that provides broad prescription drug coverage to all seniors. In the meantime, we decided to act now in order to provide this assistance to individuals in need."

Enrollment in the Lilly Answers program is free. The program began for eligible seniors March 5, with participating pharmacies accepting the card beginning April 1. Additional information about the Lilly Answers program is available at www.lillyanswers.com or by calling 1-877-RX-LILLY.