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Patient Services


Support Groups

Support Groups provide MG patients with information and assistance through scheduled meetings and programs that provide an opportunity to share experiences and exchange ideas. Programs include presentations by healthcare providers as well as video presentations related to Myasthenia.

Medication Programs

Medication Assistance Programs for People with Myasthenia Gravis

Source: MGFA, Inc. - Updated on January 28, 2004

 Disclaimer:  The following services and links are provided for the convenience of those searching for medication assistance. The MGFA does not endorse any of these and assumes no responsibility for these services and/or web-pages.

 Valeant Patient Assistance Program

Patients can receive certain medications manufactured by Valeant Pharmaceuticals, International, including Mestinon ® [pyridostigmine bromide] , Mestinon Timespan ® [time release pyridostigmine bromide] , Mestinon Syrup ® [pyridostigmine bromide syrup] and Prostigmin ® [neostigmine] if they do not qualify for Medicaid or other programs. Download the application and instructions [both PDF files].

A.C.C.E.S.S. 888.700.7010

This program helps patients determine whether they are eligible for certain federal and state entitlement programs, such as Social Security Disability. A.C.C.E.S.S. does not provide medication assistance directly.

 Precision RX 800.783.7615

The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation has established a discount medication program with this company. When you call, ask for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America program. If you speak with someone who is unfamiliar with the program, ask to speak with a supervisor.

Novartis Patient Assistant Program 800.277.2254

This company offers medications to people who meet certain income requirements. The company manufactures Sandimmune ® [cyclosporine ] , Neoral ® [cyclosporine ] , an immuno-suppressant. A medical professional must call this program to request the application. Patient and the patient's doctor must sign application form.

Roche Pharmaceuticals 800.772.5790

This company operates the CellCept ® Medical Needs Program. A doctor must request and complete the application on behalf of the patient.

Sanofi-Synthelabo 800.446.6267

The Needy Patient Program offered by this company provides Mytelase ® [ambenonium chloride] to patients who meet certain income requirements. A doctor's office or other professional must request the application and complete the forms on behalf of the patient.

A number of websites offer information on discounted medications as well:

Needy Meds www.needymeds.com

Cost Containment Research Institute http://www.institute-dc.org/

Medicare http://www.medicare.gov/prescription/home.asp

Benefits Checkup http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

Patient Assistance Programs http://www.phrma.org/pap/

 

Indigent Care

Financial assistance can be obtained on an emergency basis for medications at the request of the attending physician. Based on a prescription, the Chapter will arrange for payment at the providing pharmacy. Concurrently, the Chapter will assist in a more permanent arrangement.

 

Medical Referral

When possible, requests for medical referral will be met by giving the name, address and phone number of several physicians in the requested geographic area. We will continue to expand the number of physicians familiar with treating MG statewide.

 

Membership

New members will be given an Information Care Package consisting of the most essential information needed as a Myasthenic patient. Copies of this webpage in CD form will also be available precluding connection to the Internet. Membership provides an invitation to our Support Group and Chapter Meetings, and future Conferences and Workshops where special presentations are made on state-of-the-art research programs. Dues are now only $10/year and include delivery of our quarterly Newsletter "The Virginian". Life memberships are available and are tax deductible for $100 and include membership in the President's Club for supporting new programs and patient services.

 

Information Care Package

New members will be given essential information for assistance in managing their Myasthenia including the following brochures:

Facts about Autoimmune MG
Nutrition & MG
Dental Considerations - currently under revision and may not be available
Home Injury Prevention
Emergency Management
MedicAlert
Medical Information Card
Exercise & MG
as well as the most recent copy of the "The Virginian", our Chapter newsletter.

 

Newsletters

Quarterly newsletters are provided to our members that include not only information about our Chapter and Support Group programs, but articles related to Myasthenia research, Federal funding support, newly developed medications and therapies, as well as shared patient histories. Med Notes are also included that relate developments in cancer, heart disease, arthritis, nutrition and other health related field of interest to our membership.

 

Brochures

The Virginia Chapter purchases from National MGFA and provides at no cost at this time the following brochures:
Facts about Autoimmune MG
Mestinon
Prednisone
Imuran - currently under revision and may not be available
Thymectomy
Plasmapheresis
Intravenous Immunoglobulins
Nutrition & MG
Dental Considerations - currently under revision and may not be available
Menstruation & Pregnancy - current under revision and may not be available
Home Injury Prevention
Emergency Management
Mycophenolate (CellCept)
MedicAlert
Medical Information Card
Exercise & MG
MGFA Promo Brochure
Emotional Support
On-line access to these brochures is available from the National MG Foundation at www.myasthenia.org.

 

800# Hotline

The Chapter provides access to an 800# Hotline for specific medical questions and information. The number is 1-800/728-4405. Requests for information on programs and services, and materials can also be obtained by calling this number or by email: pma8n@adelphia.net. Our mailing address is Virginia Chapter, MGFA, 2304 Angus Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

 

Conferences and Workshops

An annual Conference/Workshop is planned that will bring leading physicians and research scientists together in Central Virginia to review present therapeutic and research strategies, and funding levels of research programs at the National level.

Additional Conferences are scheduled by the National MG Foundation and information can be found on their website: www.myasthenia.org. References to the research papers presented at these conferences will be included on this website in Section K - Selected Information/Conferences and Symposia Presentations.

 

Videos

A number of videos are available from the National Office of MGFA including:
Putting the Pieces Together
International Symposium
Coping with MG
2001 Annual Meeting Lectures - four different videos
2002 Annual Meeting Lectures - three different videos

Availability and cost can be obtained from the National MGFA website: www.myasthenia.org.

 

Hospital/Health Fair Information

Informative displays, videos, brochures and copies of the Continuing Medical Education (CME) booklet on Myasthenia developed with support from MGFA and the American Academy of Neurology are available on request. Information Care Packages for new Virginia/West Virginia Chapter members are also available by contacting:
Phyllis Birckhead, Program Director
2304 Angus Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
434/295-9861
pma8n@adelphia.net
On request, personnel from the Virginia/West Virginia Support Groups will participate in health fairs or visit hospitals and clinics to brief their staffs on MG and the resources available to assist patients.

 

Thymoma Cancer Information

A special information package dealing with Thymoma cancers that may be associated with Myasthenic patients is in preparation and should be available as a publication on-line later in 2004. Also see Section E-9: The Cancer Connection on this webpage (not available at this time).

 

Physicians/Healthcare Professionals Information

The National Myasthenia Gravis Foundation has developed a Continuing Medical Education (CME) publication in cooperation with the American Academy of Neurology and authored by outstanding physicians that specialize in treating Myasthenia, including our own Chapter's Medical Advisor, Dr. Lawrence H. Phillips, M.D. The program is available as a publication from our Chapter or from the National Office

Virginia Chapter, MGFA Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.
2304 Angus Road 5841 Cedar Lake Road, Suite 204
Charlottesville, VA 22901 Minneapolis, MN 55416
434/295-9861 1-800/541-5454
pma8n@adelphia.net www.myasthenia.org

The material is for Primary Care Physicians, Physician's Assistants, Pharmacists, Nurses and Dentists that provide care for Myasthenic patients.

 

2304 Angus Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: 800-728-4405
Fax: 434-295-1909