What is the Allergan patient assistance program?

The Allergan Patient Assistance Program has been around since the 1990s, providing access to branded Allergan medications for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients.

In 2022, the program expanded to cover over 30 different Allergan eye care and dermatology products, including treatments for conditions like dry eye, glaucoma, and wrinkles.

To qualify, patients must have a valid prescription for an eligible Allergan medication and demonstrate financial need, with income limits up to 400% of the federal poverty level.

The program provides medications at no cost to eligible patients, and in some cases may also cover the cost of associated medical devices or supplies.

Applications can be submitted directly by patients or through their healthcare providers, and the process involves submitting financial and other supporting documentation.

Once approved, medications are typically shipped directly to the patient's prescriber's office, though in some cases can be sent to the patient's home.

The program is funded entirely by Allergan and does not require any copays or enrollment fees from participating patients.

In 2023, the program expanded eligibility to include residents of Puerto Rico, in addition to those living in the United States.

Allergan partners with a third-party administrator, AbbVie, to manage the application and distribution process for the patient assistance program.

The program has been praised for improving access to important eye care and dermatology treatments for underserved patient populations.

While the program is not a substitute for comprehensive health insurance, it can be a valuable resource for those who are uninsured or underinsured and cannot afford their Allergan medications.

Allergan periodically reviews and updates the list of eligible products covered by the patient assistance program, so patients should check the program website for the most current information.

The program has been particularly beneficial for patients with chronic eye conditions like glaucoma, who may require long-term use of Allergan medications.

In addition to the patient assistance program, Allergan also offers a separate copay assistance program to help insured patients afford their out-of-pocket costs for eligible medications.

The patient assistance program is just one part of Allergan's broader efforts to improve access and affordability of its products, which also include partnerships with healthcare providers and advocacy organizations.

While the program is designed to help individual patients, it has also been shown to have a positive impact on public health by reducing the burden of untreated eye and skin conditions.

Allergan's patient assistance program is not the only one of its kind in the pharmaceutical industry, but it is one of the more comprehensive and well-established programs available.

The program's success has been attributed in part to its streamlined application process and the company's commitment to ensuring eligible patients can access the medications they need.

In recent years, Allergan has also worked to raise awareness about the patient assistance program, partnering with healthcare providers and patient advocacy groups to reach more eligible individuals.