• Free Prescription Medicine Available -- This program was established to assist individuals who cannot afford to buy their own prescription medicine and they do not have insurance to pay for it. To find out more click on The Medicine Program
  http://www.ims-1.com/~freemed/

• Free Health Care Services -- Medical Health Systems performs clinical trials in a wide variety of therapeutic areas with a wide range of specialists. These trials are Free to the patient (and sometimes patients are paid for their participation)! These are state-of-the-art, therapeutic, are funded by pharmaceutical companies and therefore are great opportunities for free medical care. For information click on Medical Health Systems
  http://www.medhealth.com/clinic.html

TIPS

Some physicians are aware of these programs, but you or your doctor can find out more about these programs by contacting the:

and ask for a report entitled:

Also, tell your doctor of your financial hardship if you really can't afford the drugs he prescribes -- sometimes he has samples he can give you.

Tip #2
Given that generic drugs are often 50% less expensive than their brand name counterparts, it's easy to see the potential for cutting health care costs. Ask your physician or pharmacist about using A-rated generic substitutes for prescription drugs. Even though generic versions are much cheaper, about 28 percent of all prescriptions are filled with higher-priced brand names -- even when generics are available.

Tip #3
While national attention continues to focus on the evils of illegal drug use, a more insidious problem has nearly escaped notice. It has been labeled "The Other Drug Problem." Each year, the elderly suffer more than 9 million adverse drug reactions. Over 243,000 people aged 60 or older wind up in the hospital every year because of detrimental reactions to prescription and over-the-counter drugs. It is estimated that 32,000 people break their hips every year because of drug-induced falls. And 163,000 people's memory loss is caused or made worse by sleeping pills, tranquilizers, blood pressure medications, or anti-psychotic drugs.

How can you avoid becoming one of these statistics? Approximately half of the 1.5 billion prescriptions written each year are taken incorrectly. Your doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals need to know about the medicines you are taking and any problems you may be having with them. Here are things you should tell every health professional you see.

1. Tell your primary health professional about all the medications you take including those you bought without a prescription (over-the-counter) and those prescribed by other doctors.

2. Make sure you know the name of each medicine, why you are taking it, and how often. If you are unsure what it is for ask for clarification so you fully understand. Specifically ask if you still need to be taking all of the medications or a smaller dose.

3. Mention your eating habits and when you take medications. Ask your doctor if there are any side effects from the drugs and what you should be doing about them.

4. Be sure your health professional understands your medical history and if you are being treated by any other doctors and for what conditions.

5. Make sure you get clear, concise instructions that you understand. Be insistent on getting the information. Ask your doctor to write out a complete medication schedule, with instructions on exactly when and how to take your medications.

Tip #5
In case of a medical emergency, it is often emotionally stressful to provide the information that emergency medical personnel need to care for an individual. If you are a senior citizen who is chronically ill, living alone, conscious, or unconscious you might not be able to provide medical information readily.

In many areas of the U.S. local organizations have sponsored The Vial of Life Program.

All that you need is:

1. a form that spells out your medical history;
   
2. a 16 dram, plastic RX vial;
   
3. and a Vial of Life sticker.

Place the Vial of Life sticker on the front door or window of your house, where it is visible to the emergency teams. That's all there is to it. This procedure is claimed to have cut 30 minutes or more in an emergency and has saved lives. Check it out with your local Chamber of Commerce.