Many drug companies -- often in response to activist pressure -- have set up programs to help people who cannot afford medications. These programs can help with reimbursement problems and can sometimes supply free drugs if a person qualifies (although most require enrollment through a physician). Anyone who calls the numbers below can obtain eligibility information.


Drug by manufacturerbrand nameused against
Abbott
Clarithromycin: 800.441.4987BiaxinMycobacterial infections
Ritonavir: 800.659.9050NorvirHIV
Amgen: 800.272.9376
G-CSFNeupogenNeutropenia
Astra: 800.488.3247
FoscarnetFoscavirCMV
Bristol-Myers Squibb: 800.272.4878
d4TZeritHIV
ddIVidexHIV
Megestrol acetateMegaceWasting, weight loss
Fujisawa: 800.366.6323
Aerosolized pentamidineNebupentPCP
GlaxoWellcome: 800.722.9294
AcyclovirZoviraxHerpes
AtovaquoneMepronPCP
AZTRetrovirHIV
PyrimethamineDaraprimToxoplasmosis
TMP/SMXSeptraPCP
3TCEpivirHIV
Hoffmann-La Roche: 800.285.4484
ddCHividHIV
GanciclovirCytoveneCMV
Interferon alpha-2ARoferonKaposi’s sarcoma
Saquinavir: 800.282.7780InviraseHIV
TMP/SMXBactrimPCP
Immunex: 800.466.8639
GM-CSFLeukineNeutropenia
Janssen: 800.544.2987
ItraconazoleSporonoxFungal infections
KetoconazoleNizoralFungal infections
Merck: 800.850.3430
IndinavirCrixivanHIV
Ortho Biotech: 800.553.3851
ErythropoietinProcritAnemia
Pfizer
Fluconazole: 800.869.9979DiflucanFungal infections
Azithromycin: 800.646.4455ZithromaxBacterial infections
Pharmacia & Upjohn: 800.366.5570
RifabutinMycobutinMAC
Roxane Labs: 800.274.8651
DronabinolMarinolWasting, weight loss
Sequus: 800.375.1658
DoxorubicinDoxilKaposi’s sarcoma

Source: Community Prescription Service, New York City, 1996