Los Angeles, CA–(HISPANIC PR WIRE)–July 2, 2002–With the support of Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante, Assembly Majority Leader Marco Firebaugh, local senior centers and community churches, Pfizer launched an initiative in East Los Angeles today to enroll thousands of eligible Medicare recipients in its Pfizer for Living Share CardTM prescription benefit program.
The Pfizer Share Card™ enrollment event in East Los Angeles will begin at 9:00 am at Joseph Vasquez Senior Center in Ruben Salazar Park, located at 3864 East Whittier Blvd. Pfizer representatives will be available at the site to provide enrollment assistance. In addition, attendees will also have the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked by certified healthcare professionals as well as access to free patient education materials on a variety of common illnesses.
“I am pleased Pfizer is taking the initiative to help thousands of California’s low-income seniors get the prescription medicines and healthcare information they need to lead longer, healthier and happier lives,” said Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante.
“Pfizer’s Share Card program will provide immediate health benefits to the thousands of low-income seniors in our city with poor health, no prescription drug coverage and who face the challenge of managing their healthcare within a limited budget,” said Assembly Majority Leader Marco Firebaugh “I am extremely pleased that Pfizer is addressing this vital need and is actively engaged in working with local communities to enroll as many eligible citizens as possible.”
The Pfizer Share Card Program, part of Pfizer’s commitment to reach millions of Medicare-enrolled low-income seniors nationwide who lack prescription drug coverage, provides a range of immediate health benefits to enrollees, including: the Share Card, which enables qualified seniors to buy up to a 30-day supply of most Pfizer prescription medicines for a flat fee of $15 per prescription; a telephone help-line with operators to assist with enrollment requests, materials, and information about other health services and benefits that may be available; and easy-to-read health information on 16 common medical conditions associated with old age.
To date, the Pfizer Share Card has enrolled over 174,000 people and has distributed more than 1,300,000 applications throughout the U.S. This high level of interest has been driven by the unique benefits of the Pfizer Share Card, combined with an aggressive community outreach campaign and an easy to use call center.
“The strong response to the Share Card™ Program underscores the real value of this program and the real need that exists across the country to enhance patient access to healthcare services and medicines,” said Honorio Silva, MD, Vice President Medical and Regulatory Affairs, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Group. “Through our partnerships with LA County and local community and religious groups, we hope to bring the benefits of the Share Card to eligible seniors throughout California.”
The Pfizer Share Card can be used at over 92 percent of retail pharmacies nationwide, including chains such as CVS and Wal-Mart and many independent stores throughout the country. In California, there are 4,202 pharmacies that accept the Share Card.
To qualify for the Share Card, individuals must be enrolled in Medicare, have a gross income of less than $18,000 (less than $24,000 for couples), and have no prescription drug coverage and not be eligible for Medicaid or any other publicly-funded prescription benefit program.
The Share Card covers most Pfizer medicines including therapies for many medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Pfizer markets nine of the 50 most-prescribed medicines for Medicare enrollees; no other company has as many medicines on this list.
“Many of my patients need to take prescription medications to effectively lower their high blood pressure and high cholesterol,” said Dr. Cesar Aranguri, cardiologist and Program Director for Residency Training for the Department of Internal Medicine at King-Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles. “As a physician, I find the Share Card Program extremely reassuring because it provides seniors with the medications and healthcare information they need to manage their health and well-being. It is also very helpful to patients and their families that enrollment and health information is available in Spanish.”
Pfizer for Living Share Card applications are available today by calling 1-800-717-6005 and additional information is available at http://www.pfizerforliving.com.
Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals and many of the world’s best-know consumer brands.
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