THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 

                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994                    TAG: 9406300056 
SECTION: DAILY BREAK                     PAGE: E4    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: ORLANDO SENTINEL 
DATELINE: 940630                                 LENGTH: Medium

MEDICINE FREE FOR THE NEEDY

{LEAD} THESE DRUG companies, along with the National Association for Rare Disorders, help patients obtain medications without charge through special programs. Some companies may offer assistance with only one drug among the dozens they manufacture.

When you call the manufacturer of your medication, ask the company if it is available through the indigent patient assistance program. Financial statements must be submitted to prove need.

{REST} Allergan Pharmaceuticals, (800) 347-4500.

Boehringer Ingleheim, (203) 798-4131.

Bristol-Myers Squibb, (800) 736-0003.

Ciba Pharmaceuticals, (800) 257-3273. Ciba provides patient assistance only for Ritalin. To qualify, families must have no assets and cannot have checking or savings accounts. They must prove they have exhausted all other avenues of medical assistance, including Medicaid.

Genentech Inc., (800) 879-4747.

Glaxco Inc., (800) 452-9677.

Hoffman-LaRoche Inc., (800) 526-6367.

ICI/Stuart, (302) 886-2231.

Immunex Corp., (800) IMMUNEX.

Johnson and Johnson (Ortho Biotechnology), (800) 553-3851.

Eli Lily and Co., (317) 276-2950.

Marion Merrell Dow, (800) 552-3656.

Merck Sharp Dohme, (800) 637-2579.

National Organization for Rare Disorders, (800) 999-6673. This organization, in cooperation with several pharmaceutical companies, offers patient assistance programs for transplant patients and for people with schizophrenia, certain cancers and Parkinson's disease.

Parke-Davis, (800) 755-0120.

Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, (800) 869-9979 and (800) 646-4455.

Sandoz Pharmaceuticals (see National Organization for Rare Disorders).

Sterling-Winthrop, (800) 446-6267. Eligibility is based on a formula using federal poverty guidelines.

Schering-Plough, (800) 526-4099.

G.D. Searle and Co., (800) 542-2526.

Sigma-Tau (see National Organization for Rare Disorders).

SmithKline Beecham: Program 1, for all pharmaceuticals, (215) 751-5760. Program 2, for the drugs Eminase and Triostat, (800) 866-6273.

Syntex Laboratories, (800) 822-8255.

Upjohn Co., (616) 323-6004.

Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, (800) 568-9938.

{KEYWORDS} FREE MEDICINE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS by CNB