AANP:            505                                                                  CONTACT:    Nancy McMurrey                                                                                      Director of Communications                                                                                      (512) 276-5906                                                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners joins the Partnership for Prescription Assistance

      AUSTIN (July 6) – The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) today announced its participation in the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a groundbreaking initiative to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them.   The Partnership brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, patient advocates and community leaders. 

      The program offers a single point of access, through a toll-free phone number, 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669), or Web site (www.pparx.org), to more than 275 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

      "We are proud to join the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. This initiative is important for the patients our nurse practitioners work with every day who are uninsured or have trouble paying for healthcare," said Dr. Judith Dempster, AANP executive director.  "Through this program, we now can help eligible patients find the patient assistance program that's right for them with a single phone call or Web site visit."

      To boost enrollment in patient assistance programs nationwide, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance is rolling out an extensive grassroots awareness program. Over the next year, the Partnership will work with community leaders to establish chapters in all 50 states.  In addition, efforts will be supported by a substantial national broadcast and print advertising campaign.

      "Millions of Americans can benefit from the Partnership for Prescription Assistance," said Dr. Dempster.  "We will work with our nurse practitioner members across America to help spread the word about this important program."

      AANP, established in 1985, this year celebrates 20 years as the oldest and largest full-service national professional organization for nurse practitioners of all specialties.  With more than 19,500 individual members and 100+ group members, AANP represents the interests of approximately 90,000 nurse practitioners around the country.  AANP continually advocates for the active role of nurse practitioners as providers of high-quality, cost-effective health care.  For more information about AANP, visit www.aanp.org.

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