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RxAssist FAQs
What is RxAssist.org?
RxAssist is a website with information, news, and a database that are
all designed to help you find out about ways to get affordable, or free,
medications. The database includes information on the pharmaceutical companies'
patient assistance programs, or programs that provide free medication
to low-income patients. RxAssist was created by Volunteers in Health Care,
a national, nonprofit resource center for health care programs working
with the uninsured.
How does RxAssist work?
The staff of Volunteers in Health Care updates the information on the
RxAssist.org website everyday. To use the database, you must first register
by answering a few simple questions. Once registered, you can search by
drug name (generic or brand) or search by the pharmaceutical company.
If you are unsure how to spell the medication, you can search by the first
letter. So, if you are looking for Lipitor, you can either type in the
word "lipitor" or look under the "L" section. If you
would like more detailed instructions, please see our instructions section.
RxAssist now offers more information than just our database. Be sure
to check out our resource tools, current news, and other features.
What makes RxAssist unique?
RxAssist.org is unique as it is part of a larger organization dedicated
to helping safety net organizations care for the uninsured. Along with
our website, Volunteers in Health Care also offers: staff that are able
to assist organizations starting or operating programs providing medication
or pharmacy assistance and are able to provide a national perspective
on pharmaceutical access issues and strategies. Combined with our staff's
extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical access issues and the creation of
technical assistance tools, VIH and RxAssist are now nationally recognized
as expert resources for safety net organizations, policymakers, clinicians
and the media.
How do I get started using
RxAssist?
To access the RxAssist database of patient assistance programs you simply
need to register for a free user account.
What does it mean if my medication
isn't listed in the database?
VIH makes every effort to ensure the information on RxAssist is the most
up-to-date as possible. If your medication is not in the database it means
that a patient assistance program does not currently exist for that medication.
You may wish to contact the pharmaceutical company directly to ask if
they can provide that medication.
How
is RxAssist funded?
RxAssist.org is funded through private foundations, like the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation, through corporate sponsorships such as our partnership
with Express Scripts and also from private donations.
I've heard of something called
RxAssist Plus. What is that?
RxAssist Plus is software that is used in conjunction with RxAssist.org.
RxAssist Plus was originally created by Volunteers in Health Care so that
organizations that generate a high volume of patient assistance program
applications could have a tailored data management tool for that purpose.
RxAssist Plus is now maintained by the software developers, Systemetrics.
Why do I need to register for
the database?
There are two main reasons. The first is that when you register, RxAssist
will know if you are a health care professional or a patient and this
will allow us to tailor the information you see so that you will get the
most relevant information necessary. The second is so that VIH can provide
information to our funders that demonstrates how important the site is
to the hundreds of thousands of people who benefit from it every year.
The information collected is kept completely private. We will not sell
your information or share it in any way that would identify you or your
organization. Funders will receive aggregate data only.
What
happens with the information I submit to RxAssist when I register?
The information is stored in a database, on a secure server, maintained
by Volunteers in Health Care. Only VIH has access to this information.
Can I send RxAssist a donation?
Yes. RxAssist.org is a product of Volunteers in Health Care, which is
a program of Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, a nonprofit teaching hospital
affiliated with Brown University.
To make a donation, please send a check to:
Volunteers in Health Care
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island
111 Brewster Street
Pawtucket, RI 02862
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