The Medication Access Program (MAP) is a statewide program, available at no cost, for solid-organ transplant recipients in Georgia that offers information about programs that can increase transplant recipients’ accessibility to medications (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, pharmaceutical manufacturer-sponsored medication assistance programs). The mission of MAP is to increase access to medications for solid-organ transplant recipients who reside in the State of Georgia. In addition to identifying medication assistance programs, MAP also provides assistance to transplant recipients in the enrollment process necessary to participate in these programs. MAP is available through a grant from the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy.

Financial circumstances resulting from a lack of insurance for medication coverage may force transplant recipients to become noncompliant with medications. Noncompliance with immunosuppressants and other critical transplant medications may lead to organ rejection, increased health care cost, and decreased quality of life. MAP provides information about and enrollment services into assistance programs concerning immuno-suppressant medications and other medications for concomitant disease states that may develop in transplant recipients. These disease states include, but are not limited to, hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary diseases, and lipid disorders. Additionally, MAP is a valuable resource to healthcare professionals and transplant recipients by providing the most up-to-date information regarding available medication assistance programs.

From October 1999 through September 2003, MAP has aided over 380 Georgia solid-organ transplant recipients. Through MAP’s services, these recipients have received over $4.9 million in medications, based on average wholesale prices. We encourage all transplant recipients and healthcare professionals to contact MAP. MAP personnel may be reached Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM by calling (706) 721-0131 or 1-800-736-2273 ext. 0131.

Updates on Patient Assistance Programs

Pegasys® (peginterferon alfa-2a kits) has a patient assistance program offered by Roche Labs. You may call MAP at 706-721-0131 or Roche Labs at 1-800-387-1258 for more information about enrollment for this drug. Rebetron® (interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin kits), manufactured by Schering Laboratories/Key Pharmaceuticals, is also available through an assistance program. For more information, you may also contact MAP or Schering Laboratories/Key Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-521-7157. Patient assistance programs for Aygestin®, Diamox®, Lexxel®, Lopid®, Lopressor®, Sectral®, Trovan®, Zebeta®, Zestril®, Zestoretic®, and Ziac® are no longer available. However, Lexxel®, Trovan®, Zestril®, and Zestoretic® have a generic equivalent that is available. Prilosec® has been removed from the Astra-Zeneca patient assistance program and is now being offered over-the-counter.

The MAP newsletter is published quarterly to present topics of interest to the transplant community. If you would like to submit material to be considered for publication in the newsletter, please contact MAP at:
Medication Access Program
University of Georgia at the
Medical College of Georgia
Clinical Pharmacy Program
CJ-1020
Augusta, Georgia 30912-2450
706-721-0131 or 800-736-2273 ext. 0131 or e-mail us at: map@mapuga.com