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 manufacturer |
brand name |
used against |
| Abbott |
| Clarithromycin: 800.441.4987 |
Biaxin |
Mycobacterial infections |
| Ritonavir: 800.659.9050 |
Norvir |
HIV |
| Amgen: 800.272.9376 |
| G-CSF |
Neupogen |
Neutropenia |
| Astra: 800.488.3247 |
| Foscarnet |
Foscavir |
CMV |
| Bristol-Myers Squibb: 800.272.4878 |
| d4T |
Zerit |
HIV |
| ddI |
Videx |
HIV |
| Megestrol acetate |
Megace |
Wasting, weight loss |
| Fujisawa: 800.366.6323 |
| Aerosolized pentamidine |
Nebupent |
PCP |
| GlaxoWellcome: 800.722.9294 |
| Acyclovir |
Zovirax |
Herpes |
| Atovaquone |
Mepron |
PCP |
| AZT |
Retrovir |
HIV |
| Pyrimethamine |
Daraprim |
Toxoplasmosis |
| TMP/SMX |
Septra |
PCP |
| 3TC |
Epivir |
HIV |
| Hoffmann-La Roche: 800.285.4484 |
| ddC |
Hivid |
HIV |
| Ganciclovir |
Cytovene |
CMV |
| Interferon alpha-2A |
Roferon |
Kaposi's sarcoma |
| Saquinavir: 800.282.7780 |
Invirase |
HIV |
| TMP/SMX |
Bactrim |
PCP |
| Immunex: 800.466.8639 |
| GM-CSF |
Leukine |
Neutropenia |
| Janssen: 800.544.2987 |
| Itraconazole |
Sporonox |
Fungal infections |
| Ketoconazole |
Nizoral |
Fungal infections |
| Merck: 800.850.3430 |
| Indinavir |
Crixivan |
HIV |
| Ortho Biotech: 800.553.3851 |
| Erythropoietin |
Procrit |
Anemia |
| Pfizer |
| Fluconazole: 800.869.9979 |
Diflucan |
Fungal infections |
| Azithromycin: 800.646.4455 |
Zithromax |
Bacterial infections |
| Pharmacia & Upjohn: 800.366.5570 |
| Rifabutin |
Mycobutin |
MAC |
| Roxane Labs: 800.274.8651 |
| Dronabinol |
Marinol |
Wasting, weight loss |
| Sequus: 800.375.1658 |
| Doxorubicin |
Doxil |
Kaposi's sarcoma |
Source: Community Prescription Service, New York City, 1996