MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Mike Spurrier, Director, 301-600-1506

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 22, 2004

FREDERICK COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY MEDBANK PROGRAM CONTINUES TO FULFILL UNMET NEEDS

The Frederick Community Action Agency (FCAA) is pleased to announce that the Medbank Program continues to help lower-income people obtain free prescription medications that they need, but can't afford. Funded by the Maryland Health Care Foundation and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Medbank Program, operated locally by the FCAA, helps low- to moderate-income people who are uninsured or underinsured obtain the prescription medications they need, but simply cannot afford.

Many Frederick County citizens are uninsured or lack adequate health insurance that covers the cost of prescription medications. The high cost of medications means that people who are uninsured or "underinsured" often go without their medicines. The FCAA Medbank Program works by helping people to obtain free or low-cost prescription medications offered through Patient Assistance Programs operated by pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. The prescription must be for a medical or psychiatric condition that requires at least several months worth of medication and other eligibility requirements must be met. The FCAA Medbank Program is operated by Denise Bowens, Medbank Case Manager and she can be reached at 301-600-1506 or 301-600-1394.

To be eligible for Medbank services, Frederick County residents must meet the following eligibility requirements:

· Meet the financial/income eligibility guidelines set by the pharmaceutical manufacturing companies who operate Patient Assistance Programs (these guidelines vary somewhat between different companies).
· Have no other prescription drug coverage or insurance.
· Are not already enrolled in or eligible for other programs such as Medical Assistance or Maryland Pharmacy Assistance.
· Need medications for longer-term medical or psychiatric conditions (usually 3 months or longer).

Through a wide array of programs and services, the Frederick Community Action Agency provides food, shelter, medical care, housing and other forms of assistance to families and individuals who are low-income or homeless. In addition to the newly established Medbank Program, the FCAA also operates the Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program Outreach Project designed to help low-income adults obtain benefits from the Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program. Established in 1968, the Frederick Community Action Agency is sponsored by the City of Frederick and the Friends for Neighborhood Progress with support from the Frederick County Government and the United Way of Frederick County. The Frederick Community Action Agency is located at 100 South Market Street in Frederick and has outreach offices in Emmitsburg and Brunswick.

For more information, please contact the Frederick Community Action Agency at 301-600-1506.