I am aware of the program and Its limitations. The guidelines are problematic with some of my patients.

@JayJackson Sorry to hear that.

@Spinliesel. Thank you Ma'am for offering an alternative source. If more folks like yourself would engage the health care system with like information, INSTEAD of complaining about it, I think we would see some changes.

@JayJackson Doesn't your state have Rural Health Networks? New York has 44 of them, funded by the State and all kinds of foundations, counties etc. New York has a huge rural area with not enough hospitals, dental clinics and specialists, so the networks come up with programs that fill those gaps. It sounds like you are doing similar things. You have my respect,. And yes, people whine and cry constantly but are also grateful when we can do things for them.

@Spinliesel Yes we do to an extent. Meaning there are limited service providers. Try to find an abortion or family planning center and its like finding a needle in a hay stack, thank politics for that. It is also increasingly difficult in convincing the new Doctor or P.A. or CNP to provide services to rural areas for a variety of reasons, I am sure you are aware of this dilemma. What I am trying to do is convince my fellow providers that a united front is the best policy when dealing with pharm. reps and their companies. Not only that but to address the REAL issue and thats our representatives that allowed this nightmare to unfold. Without change there we are just running in quicksand.

I want to thank you, kind lady for your work. Heres to the day when we can devote our energies to another cause.

Thank you sir. If more folks engaged and not swallow wholly what our health care system offers, I think we would see some changes.

Thank you sir.

@JayJackson No need to thank me. I thank you sir.

Who are "they"? I have met and had conversations with some very conscientious people in the Pharmaceutical industry. I have always focused on doing my part as opposed to worrying about the mythical "they".

There products generally have to work but it's still about money

Family health and geriatric services.

Thank you sir.

Sometimes the "whole picture" is sensory overload and some may have to focus on something not so broad. I intend to address single issues that I can affect. Then move on. I thank you for your well wishes. I will try my level best to get the best for those that I serve.

Thank you sir, we are doing our best to change attitudes but its an uphill fight.

And yet samples are available to those who are persistent. Tax write offs and other incentives are always "carrots" to pharmaceutical companies, not to mention being the "good neighbor" in the communities eyes if the P.R. angle is played correctly. One just has to be savvy playing the game.

Lastly, pharmaceutical companies have factored in the costs of samples and hardship meds. This is your "humanitarian gesture" and all pharmaceutical companies have P.R. firms working on ways to be good citizens. Hence the free to low cost giveaways. I have seen gestures of this sort throughout my career.

@JayJackson "...all pharmaceutical companies have P.R. firms working on ways to be good citizens." That is bullshit. P.R. firms agenda is to promote a positive image whether warranted or not. If a corporation were "good citizens" they would not need P.R. firms to tell the public that it is raining when the corporations are pissing on on them.

@dahermit Where to begin? Your rant is amusing, Corporations are "pissing on the public? Care to elaborate or are you going to continue with nonsensical statements? What are your concrete solutions? If you don't have any and just complain then you are part of the problem.

Businesses/corporations are doing what government at all levels allow them to do. If you don't like the way YOU are being treated by an entity then do something about it. You probably just sit around complaining about the world. Bottom line is if you don't have a plan to address the issue yourself and are unwilling to do anything but gripe about the current situation then you are part of the problem. What are you willing to do or implement to address the problem?

Lastly, read and inform yourself about the "Patient assistant program". This program is designed to help those who are in need. Brings to light the "good citizen" that some pharmaceutical companies are weather mandated or not.

Yes Ma'am it is. The reason in most cases that it is needed is because of the general population ALLOWED it. Congress has allowed companies to fix prices and get " no bid" contracts. Its outrageous and the only way to affect change is to confront local and federal representatives with your voice and vote.