Montel Williams and 'Help Is Here Express' Bus Tour...Help Patients in Need Access Prescription Medicines
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Help is Here Express" national bus tour will roll into Kansas City today along with Emmy-winning syndicated talk show host, author and motivational speaker Montel Williams, stopping at the Shops on Blue Parkway to help people who are having trouble affording their prescription medicines. Since January, the bus tour -- sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies -- has visited all 50 states and more than 500 cities to raise awareness about patient assistance programs. The "Help is Here Express" is part of the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a national effort that has helped more than 3 million patients, including more than 80,000 in Missouri, find programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free.

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The "Help is Here Express" is staffed by trained specialists able to quickly help low-income, uninsured or under-insured patients access more than 475 patient assistance programs, including more than 180 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. More than 1,300 national, state and local partners, including the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, and Lupus Foundation in Kansas City, are working with America's pharmaceutical companies to spread the word about the program. When the "Help is Here Express" moves on, patients in need can visit PPA's easy-to-use Web site ( http://www.PPARX.org ) or call the toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW) where trained operators field calls in more than 150 languages.

On a national level, the PPA is represented by Emmy-winning syndicated talk show host Montel Williams, named PPA's national spokesman in January 2006. In addition, nationally recognized Telemundo talk show host and author Mayte Prida leads the PPA's Hispanic outreach effort.

"Since January, I've been traveling the country talking about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance -- urging people to make one call that can change their lives and help them afford their prescription medications," said Williams. "And the word is getting out. But our job is not done; and for the millions still in need of assistance, I urge them to pick up the phone, log on to our Web site or visit the big orange PPA bus to see if they may qualify for assistance."

The PPA specialists work with doctors, pharmacists, health care providers and community groups, educating them on the PPA process. Over 2,500 different brand-name and generic prescription medicines are available through participating patient assistance programs. In addition, the PPA provides information on nearly 10,000 free healthcare clinics and has connected more than 45,000 patients with clinics and health care providers in their communities.

"The PPA is a concerted and effective effort to reach those who still need help," said Williams. "And I'm going to do everything I can to get the word out. As a patient who must cope every day with the effects of multiple sclerosis, I understand only too well the importance of having access to the medicine you need."Montel Williams...MORE