October 21st, 2009

Announces the Partnership for Prescription Assistance:

On Thursday, the “Help is Here Express” bus tour will be stopping at the state Capitol building with former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome “The Bus” Bettis.

The event will celebrate an important milestone: 6 million patients have now received help from the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) since the program’s launch in April 2005.

PPA, sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies, helps patients who are uninsured and struggling financially find programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free. The “Help is Here Express” bus is staffed by trained specialists able to quickly help uninsured patients in need access information on more than 475 patient assistance programs.

Jerome Bettis will be on hand to speak about the PPA program and to sign autographs. The “Help is Here Express” bus will be available from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• • Attendees are encouraged to bring canned and boxed food items to support the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and blankets and linens for the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg• •

WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Press Conference: 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: State Capitol Building – Commonwealth Avenue (by the fountain)

WHO: Ken Johnson , Senior Vice President at Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Jerome Bettis, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Tony Ross, President of United Way of Pennsylvania
Kendall Hanna, Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Tina Nixon , Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg

For more information, contact: Jess Long (717-712-8359)