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OLDEST RURAL AND AGRICULTURE ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION HELPS LOWER
PRESCRIPTION
COST FOR RURAL RESIDENTS
Washington,
D.C., July 3, 2003 - Every year, more and more seniors are struggling to pay
their monthly bills and buy prescription drugs that are saving their lives. According
to the National Institute for Health Care Management, seniors across the nation
spend $2,100 a year on prescription drugs - that's $175 a month.
Although
Congress has vowed to ease seniors' financial burdens by providing them with a
federally-mandated prescription drug program, they have failed year after year.
Democrats want Medicare to pick up the expenses of prescription drugs, while Republications
want to create a new system for prescription drug coverage in which private insurers
would compete to offer seniors the benefit. As
the congressional debate continues, spending on prescriptions in the United States
rise at least 17 percent a year with no federal relief in sight. That's why the
National Grange has partnered with Pfizer, Inc., a pharmaceutical company dedicated
to helping people lead longer, healthier and more productive lives. By encouraging
qualified Medicare beneficiaries to learn more about the Pfizer for Living Share
Prescription Card Program, the National Grange is working to improve the health
outcomes of its members and low-income seniors throughout rural America. "The
National Grange's mission is to help improve the quality of life and well-being
of the people who live in rural America," National Grange President Kermit Richardson
said. "Rural seniors should not have to choose between paying their monthly bills
and buying prescription drugs that help keep them alive." Pfizer's
Living Share Card Program
The Pfizer Share Card enables qualified
Medicare beneficiaries to obtain up to a 30-day supply of most Pfizer prescription
medicines for a flat fee of $15 per prescription. In addition, Share Card members
have access to a 24-hour call center with live operators to learn about health
services and benefits, as well as request free, easy-to-understand health education
materials on 16 common medical conditions, including diabetes, Alzheimer's, depression
and heart disease. To
qualify for the National Grange-sponsored Pfizer for Living Share Card Program
individuals must be currently enrolled in Medicare, have a gross income of less
than $18,000 per year or less than $24,000 per year for couples who file joint
tax returns, have no prescription drug coverage and be ineligible for Medicaid
or any other publicly-funded prescription benefit program. "Thousands
of low-income rural seniors across the country are struggling to manage their
health without prescription drug coverage," Mr. Richardson said. "The Pfizer Share
Card will help more than 250,000 seniors improve their health and ensure fulfilling
futures by helping them receive more than 40 types of medicines." Seniors
may use the Pfizer Share Card at participating pharmacies across the country,
including CVS, Walgreen's and Wal-Mart, to obtain Pfizer medicines. More than
40 Pfizer drugs are covered under the Share Card program, including high cholesterol-fighting
medications such as Lipitor, diabetes-controlling medications such as Glucotrol
and psychological medications such as Zoloft. There
is no enrollment fee to participate in the Share Card program. Share Card applications
are available by calling 1-800-239-1321. For additional information about the
Share Card, contact the National Grange at 1-888-447-2643 or visit www.pfizer.com. By
partnering with Pfizer, the National Grange is continuing its long-standing tradition
of working to improve the lives of its members and rural seniors. Founded in 1867,
the National Grange is the oldest and most-respected agricultural and rural advocacy
organization in the United States. The organization has grassroots units in more
than 3,600 local communities in 37 states with more than 300,000 members. | 
