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
