Indianapolis-based
pharmaceutical company provides free prescriptions
through statewide program assisting uninsured
LOUISVILLE, Ky., March
12, 2002 — Eli Lilly and Company began
providing its entire line of retail medications
free of charge today to Kentuckians who
qualify for free health care through Health
Kentucky. The free medications are part
of an effort by Health Kentucky to provide
low-income Kentuckians with access to high-quality
health care.
The medications being
made available by Eli Lilly include Evista®
for osteoporosis, Humalog® and Humulin®
for diabetes, Sarafem® for premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD), Prozac® for
depression and Zyprexa® , an anti-psychotic.
"Eli Lilly’s
involvement means that Health Kentucky patients
have access to several innovative medications
that were unavailable to them before,"
said J Scott Judy, executive vice president
for Health Kentucky. "The company’s
generosity will have a tremendous impact
on thousands of people who often have to
choose between buying groceries or buying
medications."
Eli Lilly joins Health
Kentucky’s network of volunteer health-care
providers, which consists of five other
pharmaceutical companies, more than 3,000
physicians, 140 dentists, 530 pharmacies,
all 127 acute-care hospitals in Kentucky,
and every home health agency and hospice
in the state. Health Kentucky is a private,
non-profit organization whose mission is
to arrange access to health care for uninsured
Kentuckians.
"Health Kentucky
has demonstrated great leadership in developing
a model to address the health care needs
of the uninsured," said Josh Smiley,
director of strategic marketing for Eli
Lilly and Company. "Eli Lilly
is proud to join the thousands of health
care professionals who volunteer their services
through Health Kentucky to deliver high-quality
health care to uninsured Kentuckians."
Since 1984, Health
Kentucky has coordinated access to free
health care for more than 200,000 citizens
who live below the poverty level, do not
qualify for government programs and cannot
afford health insurance. Individuals can
call 800-633-8100 to apply to Health
Kentucky, a statewide, non-profit organization.
Once a person is approved, he or she remains
eligible for one year to visit volunteer
doctors, dentists, hospitals, home health
agencies and hospices, and obtain free prescriptions
donated by pharmaceutical companies. An
individual can reapply for another year
of eligibility at the end of the first year.
For Immediate Release
Contact: J Scott Judy
Executive Vice President
Health Kentucky
502-254-4214, jscottjudy@cchk.com
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