Helping People Get VICTRELIS™ (boceprevir)

Helping People Get VICTRELIS™ (boceprevir)

Merck is offering a discount co-pay card that will allow eligible individuals to save up to $200 each on up to 12 boceprevir prescriptions .

If eligible, follow these steps to save up to $200 off on each of up to 12 qualifying prescriptions for VICTRELIS.

• Activate and print the card here .
• Take the card to your doctor as a reminder to ask if VICTRELIS is right for you. If the doctor thinks that VICTRELIS is right for you, he or she will write a prescription for VICTRELIS.
• The card can be used up to 12 times before the expiration date and provides a maximum benefit of up to $200 or the amount of your copay, whichever is less, off on each of up to 12 qualifying prescriptions.
• Present the card and your insurance card (if any) with a valid signed prescription at any participating eligible retail or mail-order pharmacy (certain restrictions apply).

Please Note:

• The same coupon offer is available in different forms. For example, you may receive a coupon in card form from your doctor (which also includes a fax form), or you may print the coupon yourself from victrelis.com. Regardless of how many coupons you receive or print, you may only use the coupons, and receive up to $200 off an eligible prescription, up to 12 times prior to the expiration date printed on the coupons.
• The card is valid for patients with private insurance or cash-paying patients. Not valid for patients covered under Medicaid, Medicare, a Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan (regardless of whether a specific prescription is covered), TRICARE, CHAMPUS, Puerto Rico Government Health Insurance Plan (“Healthcare Reform”), or any other state or federal medical or pharmaceutical benefit program or pharmaceutical assistance program.
• The card is void for Massachusetts residents if a third-party payer reimburses or pays any amount of the prescription price or otherwise provides coverage for VICTRELIS.
• The card can be used only by eligible US or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico residents at participating eligible retail or mail-order pharmacies in the United States or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Product must originate in the United States or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  

Activate, print or replace your cards online here

For further information contact Merck at 866-363-6379.

• Expiration Date: 04/30/2013.

Merck Helps

Program Patient Assistance

Merck Patient Assistance Program --this is for low-income people who do not have private insurance and are not covered by any other benefits programs.

Please call The ACT Program at 1-866-363-6379 for the full list of covered products.

What Medicines Are Covered

• PEGINTRON^® (peginterferon alfa-2b) Powder for Injection
  Before prescribing PEGINTRON, please read the Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide and Boxed Warnings about fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic and infectious disorders and ribavirin-associated birth defects and fetal death.
• VICTRELIS^™ (boceprevir)

Who may qualify for patient assistance?

You may qualify for patient assistance if you meet all 3 of the following conditions:

1. You are a US resident and have a prescription for a Merck medicine from a doctor licensed in the United States.**

   AND

2. You do not have insurance or other coverage for your prescription medicine.

   AND

3. You cannot afford to pay for your medicine.You may qualify for the patient assistance program if you have a household income of $54,450 or less for individuals, $73,550 or less for couples, or $111,750 or less for a family of 4.

At Merck we realize that sometimes exceptions need to be made based on the patient's individual circumstances. If you do not meet the prescription drug coverage criteria, your income meets the program criteria, and there are special circumstances of financial and medical hardship that apply to your situation, you can request that an exception be made for you.

The ACT Program Specialists can help you and your Health Care Provider answer questions related to insurance coverage and reimbursement. They can also explain program requirements and available options. You and Your Health Care Provider must complete an enrollment form.

Call 1-866-363-6379, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 8PM ET

Indications and Usage

VICTRELIS is indicated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 1 (G1) infection, in combination with peginterferon alfa
and ribavirin (PR), in adult patients (18 years and older) with compensated liver disease, including cirrhosis, who are previously untreated or who have failed previous interferon and ribavirin therapy. The following points should be considered when initiating VICTRELIS for treatment of CHC infection:

• VICTRELIS must not be used as monotherapy and should only be used in combination with PR.
• VICTRELIS efficacy has not been studied in patients who have previously failed therapy with a treatment regimen that includes VICTRELIS or other hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitors.
• VICTRELIS in combination with PR has not been studied in patients documented to be historical null responders (<2-log10 HCV-RNA decline by Treatment Week [TW] 12) during prior therapy with PR. The clinical studies included subjects who were poorly interferon responsive. Subjects with <0.5-log10 HCV-RNA decline in viral load at TW 4 with PR alone are predicted to have a null response (<2-log10 viral load decline at TW 12) to PR therapy.
• Poorly interferon responsive patients who were treated with VICTRELIS in combination with PR have a lower likelihood of achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR), and a higher rate of detection of resistance-associated substitutions upon treatment failure, compared to patients with a greater response to PR.

Selected Safety Information

• All contraindications to PR also apply since VICTRELIS must be administered
  with PR.
• Because ribavirin may cause birth defects and fetal death, VICTRELIS in combination with PR is contraindicated in pregnant women and in men whose female partners are pregnant. Avoid pregnancy in female patients and female partners of male patients. Patients must have a negative pregnancy test prior to therapy; have monthly pregnancy tests; and use 2 or more forms of effective contraception, including intrauterine devices and barrier methods, during treatment and for at least 6 months after treatment has concluded. Systemic hormonal contraceptives may not be as effective in women while taking VICTRELIS and concomitant ribavirin.
• VICTRELIS is contraindicated in coadministration with drugs that are highly dependent on CYP3A4/5 for clearance, and for which elevated plasma concentrations are associated with serious and/or life-threatening events. VICTRELIS is also contraindicated in coadministration with potent CYP3A4/5 inducers, where significantly reduced VICTRELIS plasma concentrations may be associated with reduced efficacy. Drugs that are contraindicated with VICTRELIS include: alfuzosin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, cisapride, St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum), lovastatin, simvastatin, drosperinone, Revatio^® (sildenafil) or Adcirca^® (tadalafil) (when used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension), pimozide, triazolam, and orally administered midazolam.
• Anemia and/or Neutropenia - The addition of VICTRELIS to PR is associated with an additional decrease in hemoglobin concentrations compared with PR alone and/or may result in worsening of neutropenia associated with PR therapy alone. Dose reduction or discontinuation of peginterferon alfa and/or ribavirin may be required. Complete blood count (with white blood cell differential counts) must be conducted in all patients prior to initiating VICTRELIS combination therapy. Complete blood counts should be obtained at TWs 4, 8, and 12, and should be monitored closely at other time points, as clinically appropriate.
• The most commonly reported adverse reactions (>35%) in clinical trials in adult patients receiving the combination of VICTRELIS with PR were fatigue, anemia, nausea, headache, and dysgeusia. Of these commonly reported adverse reactions, fatigue, anemia, nausea, and dysgeusia occurred at rates ≥5% above the rates for PR alone in either clinical study. The incidence of these adverse reactions in previously untreated patients that were treated with VICTRELIS combination therapy compared with PR alone were: fatigue (58% vs 59%), anemia (50% vs 30%), nausea (46% vs 42%), dysgeusia (35% vs 16%), respectively. The incidence of these adverse reactions in previously treated patients that were treated with VICTRELIS combination therapy compared with PR alone were: fatigue (55% vs 50%), anemia (45% vs 20%), nausea (43% vs 38%), dysgeusia (44% vs 11%), respectively.
• VICTRELIS is a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4/5 and is partly metabolized by CYP3A4/5. The potential for drug-drug interactions must be considered prior to and during therapy.

• Prescribing Information
• Medication Guide

Hepatitis C Co-Pay Relief Program-Includes Medicare part D

Patient Advocate Foundation Announces Additional Support for Patient Co-Pay Relief Program Serving Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Hepatitis C Patients

To-Date, Co-Pay Relief Program Has Provided Over $130 Million in Direct Financial Support for Pharmaceutical Co-Payments to Insured Patients in Medical and Financial Need

HAMPTON, Va., Aug. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF), a national non-profit organization that seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases, is pleased to announce that it has received additional funding support to serve patients suffering from breast cancer, colon cancer and hepatitis C, who are unable to access care due to financial barriers, through its Co-Pay Relief Program (CPR).

PAF's Co-Pay Relief Program provides direct financial support for pharmaceutical co-payments to insured patients, including Medicare Part D beneficiaries, who financially and medically qualify. Since the program's inception in April 2004, CPR has distributed more than $123 million in assistance to more than 50,000 patients who were unable to afford their pharmaceutical co-payments. On August 1, CPR announced significantly expanded program offerings, including a new operational model, additional technology tools and enhanced 24-hour service for both providers and patients.

"The Co-Pay Relief Program began after PAF recognized extreme increases each year in the number of patients seeking co-pay assistance, despite the fact they were insured. Thanks to the receipt of this generous donation, we are pleased that we will now be able to offer even greater support to these patients suffering from breast cancer, colon cancer and hepatitis C so that they might access the life-saving medications they need to battle their disease," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, Founder and CEO of PAF. "Patient Advocate Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life of patients facing medical and financial hardship through our professional case management and Co-Pay Relief services."

Globally, breast cancer is second only to lung cancer as a leading cause of cancer death in women. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, it is estimated that each year nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die. Approximately 1,700 men will also be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die each year.
Excluding skin cancers, colon, or colorectal, cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. Each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 100,000 patients are diagnosed with colon cancer and half of those die.
Hepatitis C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States with approximately 3.2 million persons chronically infected, as stated by the CDC. The hepatitis C virus infects the body and attacks the liver, making it the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.

In FY2010/2011, CPR assisted 13,781 patients, a 23.4 percent increase from FY2009/2010, and allocated approximately $34.5 million to patients to help alleviate the financial burden of out-of-pocket pharmaceutical co-payments. Over 65% of CPR patients assisted in FY2010/2011 were Medicare beneficiaries which indicates that seniors and the disabled are facing financial obstacles due to both medical and cost-of-living debt crises..

Patient Advocate Foundation and its companion organization, the National Patient Advocate Foundation (NPAF), were founded on the principle that health care is a basic human need and shared social responsibility. Annually, PAF receives thousands of contacts requesting information and assistance via their toll-free hotline, as well as online, with complete direct, sustained case management services provided to patients from all fifty states free of charge. For more information about PAF, visit www.patientadvocate.org or call toll free (800) 532-5274. For more information about PAF's Co-Pay Relief Program visit www.copays.org or call toll free (866) 512-3861.

SOURCE Patient Advocate Foundation
RELATED LINKShttp://www.patientadvocate.orghttp://www.copays.org

Merck has included Victrelis/Boceprevir to its patient assistance program/May 22

http://www.merck.com/merckhelps/

Merck will include Victrelis to its patient assistance program through which eligible patients may be able to receive product free of charge.

Many Merck medicines are included in this program. A partial list of Merck medicines follows. Please call The ACT Program at 1-866-363-6379 for the full list of covered products.

• EMEND^® (aprepitant)
• EMEND^® (fosaprepitant dimeglumine) for Injection
• INTRON^®A (interferon alfa-2b, recombinant) for Injection
  Before prescribing INTRON A, please read the Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide and Boxed Warnings about fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic and infectious disorders.
• NOXAFIL^® (posaconazole) Oral Solution
• PEGINTRON^® (peginterferon alfa-2b) Powder for Injection
  Before prescribing PEGINTRON, please read the Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide and Boxed Warnings about fatal or life-threatening neuropsychiatric, autoimmune, ischemic and infectious disorders and ribavirin-associated birth defects and fetal death.
• SYLATRON^™ (peginterferon alfa-2b)
  Before prescribing SYLATRON, please read the Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide and the Boxed Warning about depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
• TEMODAR^® (temozolomide)
• TICE^® BCG LIVE (for intravesical use)
  Before prescribing TICE BCG, please read the Prescribing Information, including the BOXED WARNING about potential risk for transmission of the live attenuated mycobacteria contained in TICE BCG.
• VICTRELIS^™ (boceprevir)
• ZOLINZA^® (vorinostat)

Who May Qualify

If you have been prescribed a Merck medicine, you may be eligible for the program if all 3 of the following conditions apply:

1. You are a US resident and have a prescription for a Merck medicine from a doctor licensed in the United States.*
   AND
2. You do not have insurance or other coverage for your prescription medicine.
   Some examples of other insurance coverage include private insurance, HMOs, Medicaid, Medicare, state pharmacy assistance programs, veterans assistance, or any other social service agency support.
   AND
3. You cannot afford to pay for your medicine.
   You may qualify for the program if you have a household income of $43,560 or less for individuals, $58,840 or less for couples, or $89,400 or less for a family of 4.**

At Merck we realize that sometimes exceptions need to be made based on the patient's individual circumstances. If you do not meet the prescription drug coverage criteria, your income meets the program criteria, and there are special circumstances of financial and medical hardship that apply to your situation, you can request that an exception be made for you.
.
Download and print out an application with instructions

• English*
  [PDF: 934 KB, 3 pages]
• Spanish*
   [PDF: 459 KB, 3 pages]

Patients/Consumers:
Patients can call 1-800-727-5400 toll free 8:00 AM–8:00 PM ET to obtain a brochure outlining the program and an enrollment application. The enrollment application must be completed by the patient and his or her physician.

OR

Patients/consumers may request a brochure and application online.

See Mercks Website For More Information

Related; VICTRELIS™- Boceprevir: Prescribing Information and Medication Guide

.