Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation to Distribute Nevirapine Free of Charge to Uninsured, Low-Income Individuals in the United States
The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation is set to distribute its antiretroviral drug Viramune free of charge to low-income, uninsured U.S. residents through a new assistance program, according to a foundation release. Under the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program, Viramune -- the company's version of nevirapine -- will be distributed free of charge to adults and children who lack prescription drug coverage through public, private or employee health plans. To qualify, individuals must have annual incomes equal to or less than $25,000, and families of two or more people must earn less than $40,000 per year. The program is open only to U.S. citizens or legal residents. Individuals enrolled in the program will not have to pay copayments or other participation fees. Program participants will receive one year's worth of Viramune, distributed in four three-month supplies through the participant's health care provider, and enrollees can reapply to stay in the program past the first year (Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation release, 10/25). In July 2000, Boehringer Ingelheim announced that it would offer Viramune to developing nations free of charge for the next five years as part of an effort to prevent vertical HIV transmission (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 7/10/00)
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