Abilify Free Samples And Patient Assistance Programs Access Options For Eligible Patients

ABILIFY, a medication containing the active ingredient aripiprazole, is used to treat various mental health conditions including schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, irritability associated with autism, and Tourette's Disorder. For patients who may have difficulty affording their medication, several assistance programs are available that provide access to ABILIFY at reduced or no cost. This article explores the options for obtaining free samples and financial assistance for ABILIFY, including the Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program, the ABILIFY Savings Card, and the Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation.

Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program

The Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program provides eligible inpatient hospital and crisis stabilization unit pharmacies with free trial units of Alkermes products, including those containing aripiprazole (ABILIFY). This program is designed to facilitate prompt patient trial of the products in healthcare settings.

Program Details

The Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program offers Alkermes manufactured products free of charge to participating pharmacies. The program is available through December 31, 2027, though Alkermes reserves the right to terminate the program earlier with 60 days' notice to all participating pharmacies, or with less notice if there is a change in interpretation of applicable federal or state laws.

Eligibility Requirements

This program is available only to inpatient hospital and crisis stabilization unit pharmacies that meet specific criteria: - Pharmacies must not accept PDMA compliant drug samples - Pharmacies must be validly licensed under applicable state law - Additional limits may apply per institution

Usage and Billing Requirements

Participating pharmacies must adhere to specific guidelines when dispensing free trial units: - Do not separately bill the patient, the patient's insurance carrier, or any government healthcare program for any Alkermes manufactured product dispensed as part of this program - Where drug costs are included in a capitated rate or there is submission of a cost report or other insurer or government program reporting requirement, the pharmacy must properly report the use of the free trial units - Once reported, such information may be made publicly available - There is no requirement for any subsequent use of Alkermes manufactured product

Geographic Availability

The program is available only in the United States.

ABILIFY Savings Card Program

The ABILIFY Savings Card is a program designed to help eligible patients reduce their out-of-pocket costs for ABILIFY prescriptions. This program offers patients the opportunity to pay as little as $5 per month for their medication, assuming one 30-day supply prescription per month.

Program Details

The ABILIFY Savings Card provides financial assistance to eligible patients by reducing their prescription costs. The card is designed for patients who do not have adequate insurance coverage for their ABILIFY prescriptions.

Cost Information

With the ABILIFY Savings Card, patients may pay as little as $5 per month for their medication. This assumes one 30-day supply prescription per month. If more than one prescription is filled in a calendar month, patients may pay more than $5 in that month.

Eligibility Criteria

Patients are not eligible for the ABILIFY Savings Card if their prescriptions are covered in whole or in part by any state or federally funded programs, including: - Medicare - Medicaid (including Medicaid managed care) - Medigap - VA (Veterans Affairs) - DOD (Department of Defense) - TRICARE

Geographic Restrictions

The ABILIFY Savings Card is valid only in the United States and Puerto Rico, but not for residents of Massachusetts, California, or where otherwise prohibited by law. The offer is void where prohibited by law, taxed, or restricted.

Application Process

To learn more about the ABILIFY Savings Card or to apply, patients can call 1-855-427-7470 from 8 AM to 7 PM ET, Monday through Friday.

Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation (OPAF)

The Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc. (OPAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides eligible uninsured or underinsured patients with prescribed Otsuka medication free of cost. The foundation's mission is to improve health and wellness for eligible patients by reducing barriers to healthcare access.

Program Details

The OPAF provides medications to eligible patients at no cost, including several Otsuka products. The foundation works with healthcare professionals and patients to ensure those in need have access to their prescribed medications.

Available Medications

Through the OPAF, patients may receive the following medications at no cost if eligible: - ABILIFY MAINTENA® (aripiprazole extended release injectable suspension) - JYNARQUE® (tolvaptan) tablets - REXULTI® (brexpiprazole) tablets - SAMSCA® (tolvaptan) tablets

Application Process

Patients can apply for assistance through the OPAF Care Connect Patient Portal. When applying, patients must submit all required documentation, including: - Income verification - U.S. home address verification - Insurance denial information

The OPAF team will work with the patient's healthcare professional to complete the application process. Eligibility determination is provided within 48 hours of completing and submitting all supporting documentation.

Healthcare Professional Involvement

U.S.-based Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) can complete applications on behalf of patients with access barriers or those who are uninsured or underinsured. HCPs can apply online through the OPAF Care Connect Portal, which allows them to: - Submit OPAF applications online - Submit and track prescription orders - Access prescription templates for e-prescribing - Submit prescriptions to the contracted pharmacy: Eversana Life Science Services

Patient Support

For questions about the application process or to determine eligibility, patients can contact a dedicated Patient Access Advocate at 1-855-727-6274 (Monday-Friday 8am - 6pm ET, excluding National Holidays).

Eligibility Requirements for Each Program

Comparison of ABILIFY Assistance Programs

Program Who is Eligible What is Provided How to Apply
Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program Inpatient hospital and crisis stabilization unit pharmacies that do not accept PDMA compliant drug samples and are validly licensed under applicable state law Free trial units of Alkermes products, including those containing aripiprazole (ABILIFY) Contact Alkermes directly for enrollment information (application process not detailed in source material)
ABILIFY Savings Card Patients whose prescriptions are not covered in whole or in part by any state or federally funded programs; residents of U.S. or Puerto Rico (excluding Massachusetts and California where prohibited) Opportunity to pay as little as $5 per month for ABILIFY prescriptions Call 1-855-427-7470 from 8 AM to 7 PM ET, Monday through Friday
Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation Uninsured or underinsured patients with prescriptions for eligible Otsuka medications; meeting income requirements Eligible Otsuka medications, including ABILIFY MAINTENA, at no cost Apply online through the OPAF Care Connect Patient Portal; submit required documentation

Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program

Eligibility is limited to: - Inpatient hospital and crisis stabilization unit pharmacies - Pharmacies that do not accept PDMA compliant drug samples - Pharmacies validly licensed under applicable state law

ABILIFY Savings Card

Patients are eligible if: - Their prescriptions are not covered in whole or in part by any state or federally funded programs - They are residents of the United States or Puerto Rico (excluding Massachusetts and California, where prohibited) - They have a valid prescription for ABILIFY

Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation

Eligibility is based on: - Being uninsured or underinsured - Having a prescription for an eligible Otsuka medication - Meeting income requirements (specific thresholds not detailed in the source material) - Providing required documentation

Application Process

Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program

The application process for this program is not detailed in the source material. Interested pharmacies should contact Alkermes directly for enrollment information.

ABILIFY Savings Card

To apply for the ABILIFY Savings Card: 1. Call 1-855-427-7470 from 8 AM to 7 PM ET, Monday through Friday 2. Provide the required information to the representative 3. Follow the instructions provided to activate and use the savings card

Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation

To apply for assistance through OPAF: 1. Access the OPAF Care Connect Patient Portal 2. Complete the online application with required personal and medical information 3. Upload all required documentation, including: - Income verification - U.S. home address verification - Insurance denial information 4. Submit the application 5. Wait for eligibility determination (typically within 48 hours of complete submission) 6. Work with the OPAF team and healthcare professional to complete the process if eligible

Important Safety Information

ABILIFY and related medications may cause serious side effects. Patients should be aware of the following safety information:

Contraindications

Do not take ABILIFY if: - Allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY - Allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA

Serious Side Effects

ABILIFY may cause serious side effects, including: - Feelings of extreme thirst - Needing to urinate more than usual - Intense hunger - Weakness or fatigue - Nausea - Confusion, or breath that smells fruity - Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood - Diabetes or high blood sugar in you or your family - Seizures (convulsions) - Low or high blood pressure - Heart problems or stroke - Low white blood cell count

Special Populations

Elderly people with psychosis related to dementia have an increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ABILIFY. ABILIFY is not approved for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis.

Antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, teenagers, and young adults, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression and other serious mental illnesses are themselves associated with an increase in the risk of suicide.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

  • It is not known if ABILIFY will harm an unborn baby. If pregnancy occurs while taking ABILIFY, patients should talk to their healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics by calling 1-866-961-2388 or visiting http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/
  • ABILIFY can pass into breast milk and may harm a baby. Patients should consult with their healthcare provider about the best way to feed their baby if they are receiving ABILIFY.

Special Considerations

  • For patients who must limit their sugar intake, ABILIFY Oral Solution contains sugar
  • ABILIFY DISCMELT® Orally Disintegrating Tablets contain phenylalanine, which should be considered by patients with phenylketonuria
  • Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
  • ABILIFY and other medicines may affect each other, causing possible serious side effects. Patients should not start or stop any medicines while taking ABILIFY without talking to their healthcare provider first

Pediatric Use

ABILIFY is indicated for: - Treatment of irritability associated with autistic patients 6 to 17 years of age - Treatment of Tourette's Disorder in pediatric patients 6 to 18 years of age

For patients between the ages of 6 and 17, an adult must use the savings card on their behalf.

It is not known if ABILIFY ASIMTUFII or ABILIFY MAINTENA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

Conclusion

For patients prescribed ABILIFY who may have difficulty affording their medication, several assistance options are available. The Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program provides free samples to eligible inpatient pharmacies, while the ABILIFY Savings Card offers eligible patients the opportunity to pay as little as $5 per month for their prescriptions. The Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation provides eligible uninsured or underinsured patients with Otsuka medications, including ABILIFY MAINTENA, at no cost.

Each program has specific eligibility requirements and application processes. Patients should carefully review these requirements and gather all necessary documentation before applying. It's important to note that these programs may not be available in all states or to all patients, particularly those with certain types of insurance coverage.

Patients should always consult with their healthcare providers about their treatment options and any concerns about medication costs. Healthcare professionals can provide guidance on the most appropriate assistance programs based on individual circumstances.

Sources

  1. Alkermes Hospital Inpatient Free Trial Program
  2. ABILIFY Savings Card
  3. Otsuka Patient Assistance Foundation
  4. ABILIFY Official Website
  5. ABILIFY ASIMTUFII Tools and Resources