1. Wisconsin Free & Charitable Clinic Meeting
Increasing Pharmaceutical Access: AmeriCares and PAP Software Discussion
Wisconsin Free & Charitable Clinic Meeting
June 27, 2014

2. AmeriCares Overview Emergency response and global health non-profit
Disaster management, global public health, model clinics
Founded in 1982
Distribute medicines, vaccines and supplies to 3,500 local health institution partners in 90 countries
Support of U.S. free clinics
began after Hurricane Katrina
$500 million in aid last year;
$11 billion to date
25+ disaster responses annually

3. Increasing Pharmaceutical Access through the U. S
Increasing Pharmaceutical Access through the U.S. Medical Assistance Program
LARGEST provider of donated medicines, vaccines and medical supplies in the United States
Partner with health care safety net organizations to serve the uninsured and underinsured with incomes <300% FPL
Licensed in all 50 states
Online ordering
NO FEES for shipping or partner “membership”
FREE product donations for patients
Provide targeted clinical and capacity
building resources at
Supported by the

4. Largest Charitable Distributer of Medication

5. Becoming a Partner
Clinics must be operational for 6 months before receiving their first product donation
Create account & complete application at
Complete introductory phone call with AmeriCares staff member
Once approved, each partner is required to:
Maintain up-to-date licenses in USAccess account
Update contact information as needed in USAccess account
Renew Medical Professional and Partnership Agreements annually
Confirm receipt of all shipments

6. USAccess: www.usaccess.americares.org

7. How do AmeriCares products compliment PAP?
AmeriCares donations are used by clinics…
As starter packs pending PAP approval
For undocumented and homeless patients
In the place of medications not available through PAPs
In addition, donations are used…
For patients who cannot afford generics
To relieve procurement budgets
As gifts and incentives (hygiene products)

8. Increasing Pharmaceutical Access through Patient Assistance Programs
Free and charitable clinics that provide medication assistance receive the majority of medications through
Donation programs
Procurement
Pharmaceutical patient assistance programs

9. Patient Assistance Program Software
2-year Chronic Disease Initiative Goal: Expand the pharmaceutical capacities of free clinics for their chronic disease patients
Participating clinics received:
Prioritized medication, supplies and equipment donations
1-year’s supply of patient education materials
2-year license to RxAssist Plus
Clinic Profiles
20 clinics from 12 states
Disease states selected included diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and hypertension
Operating budgets range from $25,000 - $1,500,000
Average annual unduplicated patients: 2,366

10. PAP Software Successes
“As a result of RxAssist Plus, has your clinic..
increased the amount of medications it is able to obtain for free on behalf of patients?”
94% reported yes, 6% reported no
decreased the amount of time spent completing PAP applications on behalf of its patients?”
59% reported yes, 41% reported no
decreased the amount it spends on buying medication from wholesalers or other sources for patients?”
59% reported yes, 23% reported no, 18% reported NA

11. Transformative Impact of PAP Software

12. PAP Software Challenges
Initial data entry required more time and effort than anticipated
Staff oversight was necessary to a higher degree and for a longer period of time than was originally anticipated
Continued double entry was necessary for some clinics

13. PAP Software Initiative Lessons Learned and Conclusions
Lessons Learned from the
Interested clinics should observe a demonstration or complete a free trial of whichever electronic PAP software program they are considering to help determine if the program is a good match for their needs and resources.
Buy-in from the staff, volunteers and board is crucial to successful implementation.
Clinics should take advantage of the assistance of RxAssist Plus to complete initial data entry
Concluding Stats
Average increase of 213 percent in the number of patients receiving PAP medications
Average increase of 80 percent in the value of medications received

14. Thank you
Lindsay O’Brien, MPA Project Manager U.S. Medical Assistance U.S. Partnerships