The Prescription Drug Assistance (PDA) program seeks to ensure that New Mexicans can obtain the medications they need at costs they can afford. PDA administers the New Mexico MEDBANK program that is used to apply for brand-name prescription drugs, provided at no or low cost, by drug manufacturers through their Patient Assistance Program. In addition, PDA provides information about insurance plans, discount cards, pharmacy discounts and other options for accessing low-cost prescription drugs.

MEDBANK is a computer program that automates the application preparation and record-keeping required to obtain medications through drug companies' Patient Assistance Program. PDA offers the program, training and support, without charge, to clinics, hospitals, social service and other organizations so they can help patients get prescription drugs they need but can't afford.

Because it can take several weeks for a patient to receive drugs after applying to MEDBANK, PDA can provide a voucher that allows an eligible MEDBANK enrollee to obtain free prescription medications up to $300 while awaiting shipments from drug companies.

In conjunction with volunteer pharmacists, PDA staff provides "brown bag" medication assessments to identify drug interactions, duplications, possible lower-cost alternatives, and other medication management issues. These assessments are offered at senior fairs, health fairs and other venues around the state.

Disease Management provides information about health care, prescription drug access, legal assistance, and other resources for the HIV/AIDS community and their families. The HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network (HAAN) provides support for and programs about people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Presentations about the Prescription Drug Assistance and Disease Management programs are available to interested organizations for meetings, conventions and seminars.

To arrange for a presentation about these programs at your organization's meeting, or for information about how you can obtain and use MEDBANK, contact the Program Manager, Juanita Thorne-Connerty at 505-476-4787, or call the Aging and Long-Term Services Department's toll-free phone number (within New Mexico): 1-866-451-2901