Lipfendra (enlicitide) is one of the most significant new heart medications in years – the first cholesterol-lowering pill of its kind. If you’ve been prescribed it, Lipfendra cost is probably on your mind. This post explains what Lipfendra is and walks through the ways to get help affording it.

What Lipfendra is

Lipfendra (enlicitide) is a once-daily pill made by Merck. According to Merck, the FDA approved it on July 16, 2026, as an addition to diet and exercise to reduce LDL-C – “bad” cholesterol – in adults with high cholesterol, including an inherited form called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. What makes it notable is that it’s the first FDA-approved oral PCSK9 inhibitor: PCSK9 inhibitors are a powerful class of cholesterol-lowering medicines that, until now, were available only as injections. Lipfendra brings that approach to a convenient once-daily pill.

Because it’s a brand-new, brand-name medication, cost and insurance coverage are common concerns – coverage decisions for a just-approved drug take time to settle. Here’s what’s known about affording it.

How to afford Lipfendra: lowering the Lipfendra cost

Manufacturer cost programs

Merck offers a savings coupon for Lipfendra. Eligible privately insured patients may pay as little as $15 per prescription, with maximum savings of $300 per prescription. The coupon is not valid for patients who are uninsured or who have Medicare or other government-program insurance, and other restrictions apply – you can view the current offer and full terms on the manufacturer’s Lipfendra website.

Lipfendra is also covered by Merck’s patient-support programs:

• The Merck Patient Assistance Program provides Lipfendra free of charge to eligible patients who are uninsured or have limited income and meet the program’s requirements. You can also learn more directly at merckhelps.com.
• Merck Access Program – provides information about insurance coverage and financial assistance options for eligible patients, at merckaccessprogram.com.

Cash-pay option

According to Merck, the company plans to make Lipfendra available at a discounted cash price through a direct-to-consumer channel. Pricing for that option had not been finalized at the time of this writing, so cash-pay patients should check for current details before relying on a specific amount.

A note on insurance coverage

Because Lipfendra is newly approved and its cardiovascular outcomes trial is still ongoing, some insurers may require prior authorization or place it on a non-preferred tier at first. If your plan denies coverage or asks for prior authorization, that is not the end of the road – your prescriber’s office can submit the paperwork, and the manufacturer programs above may help in the meantime.

Assistance is still developing – how to keep checking

Because Lipfendra was just approved, the assistance available for it is still coming together, and independent programs may appear over time. NeedyMeds tracks patient assistance programs, copay cards, and coupons as they become available – you can search for Lipfendra and any other medication at needymeds.org to see what’s currently offered for it.

If Lipfendra isn’t covered by your insurance and the cost is a barrier, the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can be used at most pharmacies nationwide – no sign-up, no fees – and works on the go through the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card app for iOS and Android.

About high cholesterol

High LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Many people manage it with lifestyle changes and statins, but some need additional LDL-lowering treatment – which is where medicines like PCSK9 inhibitors come in. Whatever your treatment plan, the cost of the medications that support it shouldn’t be the thing that stops you. If you take other cholesterol medications, you can look those up on NeedyMeds too, and the discount card works across most prescriptions.

Getting help

Navigating the cost of a brand-new medication can be confusing, especially before coverage is settled. If you’d like help finding assistance, NeedyMeds’ toll-free helpline is available weekdays at 1-800-503-6897.

The bottom line

Lipfendra is a genuinely new option for lowering cholesterol, and the Lipfendra cost doesn’t have to be a dead end – Merck’s savings coupon is already available for eligible privately insured patients, and NeedyMeds will track additional assistance as it becomes available. Search Lipfendra at needymeds.org to see the latest, and check back as more programs open.

This post is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether Lipfendra is right for you.

The post How to Afford Lipfendra (enlicitide), the First Cholesterol Pill of Its Kind appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

Foundayo (orforglipron) is one of the most talked-about new medications of 2026 – and if you’ve been prescribed it, Foundayo cost is probably on your mind. This post explains what Foundayo is and, more importantly, walks through the programs that can help you afford it.

What Foundayo is

Foundayo (orforglipron) is an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Eli Lilly. According to the FDA, it was approved on April 1, 2026, for adults with obesity, or who are overweight with weight-related medical problems. What makes it notable is that it’s a pill – most GLP-1 medications for weight management are injections, and Foundayo is the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions. GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a hormone that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar.

Because it’s a brand-new, brand-name medication in very high demand, cost is a real concern for many people – so here’s what help is available.

How to afford Foundayo: lowering the Foundayo cost

Foundayo already has several manufacturer cost programs. Because copay cards are shown on the medication’s page rather than linked directly, click Foundayo to see the current details for each of these.

If you have commercial insurance

The Foundayo Savings Card Program lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $25 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription fill (with a maximum savings per fill and per year). For eligible commercially insured patients who can’t process the savings card at the pharmacy, a separate Co-Pay Card Reimbursement Program lets them submit for reimbursement instead.

If you’re paying cash (no insurance coverage)

Lilly offers a direct self-pay option. Through the Foundayo Self-Pay via LillyDirect Program, eligible cash-pay patients may pay as low as $149 per month for the lowest dose, with higher doses priced higher. This can be a meaningful option if your insurance doesn’t cover Foundayo – which is common for newly approved weight-management drugs.

If you have Medicare

Medicare plans often don’t cover medications for weight loss, which can leave beneficiaries without coverage. Foundayo offers a Medicare GLP-1 Bridge that gives eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries short-term access to Foundayo at a flat $50 monthly copay.

(Program terms and eligibility are set by the manufacturer and can change; open the medication’s page on NeedyMeds to confirm current details before relying on a specific amount. Manufacturer copay cards are generally not available to patients with government insurance, though the separate Medicare bridge program above is an exception.)

Assistance is still growing – how to keep checking

Because Foundayo is so new, the assistance available for it is still developing – additional programs and, eventually, independent options may appear over time. The best way to stay current is to check its page directly: Foundayo shows the assistance programs and savings offers in the NeedyMeds database for it, updated as new ones are added. You can also search any medication at needymeds.org.

And if Foundayo isn’t covered and the cash price is still out of reach, the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can be used at most pharmacies nationwide – no sign-up, no fees – and works on the go through the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card app for iOS and Android.

Getting help

Navigating the cost of a brand-new medication can be confusing. If you’d like help finding assistance, NeedyMeds’ toll-free helpline is available weekdays at 1-800-503-6897.

The bottom line

Foundayo is a genuinely new option, and the Foundayo cost doesn’t have to be a dead end – between the manufacturer’s savings card, the cash-pay option, and the Medicare bridge, there are already several ways to bring the price down. Click Foundayo to see the current programs, and check back as more assistance becomes available.

This post is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether Foundayo is right for you.

The post How to Afford Foundayo (orforglipron), the First GLP-1 Pill for Weight Loss appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

I was six years old when a routine checkup turned into a diagnosis that would shape the rest of my life: chronic kidney disease (CKD). I don’t remember being scared, exactly — I was too young to understand what CKD really meant. What I do remember is what happened in the years that followed: a restrictive diet I didn’t fully understand, doctor’s appointments that blurred together, and a quiet, persistent feeling that I was navigating something no one around me could fully explain.

For the next two decades, that’s largely how it stayed. I managed my diet through trial and error. I learned to advocate for myself in doctor’s offices because no one else was doing it for me. I figured out, mostly alone, how to be a kid — and later a teenager, and later an adult — living with a body that worked differently than everyone else’s.

I share this not because it’s unique. I share it because it’s common, and rarely talked about honestly.

The Diet No One Prepares You For

If you’ve never lived with kidney disease, it’s hard to explain what it’s like to sit at a birthday party doing silent math to calculate phosphorus and potassium content while everyone else just happily eats cake. It’s hard to explain what it feels like to be handed a list of “foods to avoid” as a child, with no real guidance on what to eat instead, or how to make any of it taste like something you’d actually want to eat.

The restrictive diet that comes with CKD isn’t just a medical detail. It touches identity, family meals, social life, and — something people talk about even less — cost. Kidney-friendly foods, specialty products, and the medications that come with managing this disease aren’t cheap. For a lot of families, “eat this, not that” assumes an income and access that isn’t a given. I know, because I lived it.

From Patient to Researcher

Somewhere in my twenties, the disease that had shaped so much of my life quietly became the thing that shaped my career, too. I found myself drawn not away from kidney disease, but further into it — this time from the other side of the exam table.

Today, I work as a clinical researcher, contributing to peer-reviewed publications on kidney disease, metabolic health, and clinical nutrition. I sit in on multi-site clinical trials. I help translate dense research into something that might actually change how a patient is cared for. It’s strange and full-circle to spend my days reading studies about the exact condition I’ve spent my whole life living with.

But research alone didn’t feel like enough. Papers published in medical journals rarely reach the people who need them most — the patients and families sitting in exam rooms, overwhelmed, with a list of dietary restrictions and no real roadmap.

Building the Resource I Wish I’d Had

That gap is why I founded NephroNourish, a platform dedicated to translating clinical nutrition research into content patients and caregivers can actually use. Not just “avoid this” lists, but real, practical, accessible guidance — the kind of resource six-year-old me, and even twenty-six-year-old me, could have genuinely used.

It’s also why I became a Peer Mentor and Medical Advisory Committee Member with the National Kidney Foundation, and a Certified Kidney Health Coach through the American Kidney Fund. Every one of these roles exists for the same reason: because I know, firsthand, what it feels like to need this kind of support and not have it readily available.

Why Resources Like NeedyMeds Matter

Living with a chronic illness is expensive in ways that go far beyond the hospital bill. It’s the cost of specialty foods. It’s the medications that aren’t always covered. It’s the appointments, the labs, the small financial decisions that add up when your body requires more from you than most people’s do.

This is why organizations like NeedyMeds matter so deeply to me. NeedyMeds is a national nonprofit that maintains a free, searchable database connecting patients to the resources that actually exist to help:

• Patient Assistance Programs that provide medications at no or reduced cost
• A Drug Discount Card that can save up to 80% at the pharmacy counter
• Diagnosis-Based Assistance for costs tied to specific conditions like kidney disease
• Coupons and rebates
• Free and low-cost clinics
• Camps and scholarships for people living with a chronic diagnosis

All of it is free, requires no registration, and is available through their website or a live helpline for anyone who’d rather talk it through with a person.

What strikes me most is that NeedyMeds isn’t a program itself — it’s the map. It’s the thing that tells you which doors to knock on when you don’t know where to start, which is so often the hardest part. When you’re a newly diagnosed patient, or a parent trying to figure out how to feed your child on a kidney-friendly budget, you don’t need one more thing to research. You need someone to have already done the research for you.

The gap between what patients need and what they can actually afford is real, and it’s one of the quiet burdens that chronic illness places on people — one that isn’t always visible from the outside, but shapes daily life in a very real way. Resources like these don’t just save money. They give patients and families room to breathe, and space to focus on healing instead of just surviving the cost of staying alive.

What I’d Tell My Younger Self

If I could go back and talk to the six-year-old who’d just been diagnosed, I don’t think I’d try to explain the science. I’d tell her this: you are going to figure this out, slowly, and mostly on your own — but one day, you’ll turn that into something that helps other people not have to.

That’s the resilience kidney disease taught me. Not the ability to avoid hardship, but the ability to morph it into something useful — for myself, and now, I hope, for others navigating this same road.

If you or someone you love is managing chronic kidney disease, know that you’re not meant to figure this out alone — and that resources exist, like the ones NeedyMeds provides, to help make the road a little more manageable.

Swetha Raju is a clinical researcher affiliated with UT Southwestern Medical Center, kidney disease advocate, and founder of NephroNourish, a platform translating clinical nutrition research into accessible education for kidney disease patients and caregivers. Diagnosed with CKD at age six, she brings both lived patient experience and professional research expertise to her work. Her research has appeared in professional journals including Nutrients and the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, with additional work in preparation, including a piece on lupus nephritis for the journal Life. She currently serves as a Peer Mentor and Medical Advisory Committee Member with the National Kidney Foundation, and is a Certified Kidney Health Coach through the American Kidney Fund. She is pursuing her M.S. in Human Nutrition at Columbia University and is currently applying to PhD programs in autoimmune disease.

The post What My Kidneys Taught Me About Resilience: A Patient’s Journey Through Diagnosis, Research, and Advocacy appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

International Overdose Awareness Day, observed every August 31, is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose and remember those lost. One of the most powerful tools for preventing overdose deaths is naloxone — a safe, easy-to-use medication that can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes. The good news is that naloxone is more accessible than many people realize, and in a great many cases you can get it for free. This post is a plain guide to how to get naloxone for free.

What naloxone is

Naloxone, best known by the brand name Narcan, is a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose by restoring normal breathing. It only works on opioids — such as heroin, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers — but it is safe to give even if opioids turn out not to be involved, so there is no harm in using it when an overdose is suspected. It is most commonly a nasal spray that requires no medical training to administer: you spray one dose into one nostril and, if there’s no response in two to three minutes, give a second dose in the other nostril.

You can buy it without a prescription

Since 2023, naloxone nasal spray has been available over the counter at pharmacies nationwide, no prescription needed. The FDA approved Narcan for over-the-counter sale in 2023, and generic and additional over-the-counter versions have followed since. That means anyone can walk into a pharmacy and buy it. The over-the-counter price can be a barrier for some, though — which is why it’s worth knowing about the many ways to get it free.

How to get naloxone for free

There are several routes, and which works best depends on where you live and your situation.

Your state or local health department

According to public-health guidance, most state and many local health departments distribute naloxone at no cost, often through syringe services programs, community health centers, and harm reduction organizations. Many run free mail-order programs as well. A quick search for your state’s health department plus “free naloxone” is often the fastest way to find what’s available where you live.

Free naloxone by mail

If you can’t easily get to an in-person program, naloxone can be mailed to you for free. NEXT Distro, a national harm-reduction nonprofit, provides naloxone by mail and, according to the organization, serves all 50 states and Puerto Rico free of charge. Because supplies are limited, these programs generally ask that you look for naloxone locally first if you can.

Community and pharmacy programs

Free naloxone is increasingly available through community organizations, some pharmacies, and even vending machines and libraries in some areas. Harm reduction organizations and health departments are set up specifically to remove barriers to getting it. If you have insurance, note that many private plans, Medicare, and Medicaid may cover naloxone — in some cases at no cost with a prescription — so it can be worth asking your prescriber to write one even though it isn’t required.

The national Naloxone Finder

To find naloxone near you, harm-reduction advocates maintain an online Naloxone Finder map. You can access it at harmreduction.org/resource-center/harm-reduction-near-you, which maps local naloxone and other harm-reduction resources in your community.

Finding treatment and care

Naloxone reverses an overdose in the moment — but for ongoing support, connecting to care matters too. NeedyMeds maintains a free, searchable database of free, low-cost, and sliding-scale clinics that includes clinics offering mental health and substance use disorder services. You can search by state to find care near you — no registration and no personal information required.

For confidential, 24/7 national support, the SAMHSA National Helpline is free at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), offering treatment referral and information for individuals and families facing substance use disorders.

If you’re managing medication costs, too

Medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorder may also come with cost assistance. Some — like certain forms of buprenorphine-naloxone and injectable naltrexone — have manufacturer copay programs or patient assistance programs. You can look up a specific medication on the NeedyMeds drug search to see what’s available for it, and the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can help lower prices at the pharmacy for medications that aren’t otherwise covered.

Naloxone saves lives

Carrying naloxone isn’t just for people who use opioids — it’s for anyone who might witness an overdose: family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors. Every state has Good Samaritan protections designed to encourage people to act in an emergency. Keeping naloxone on hand, and knowing how to use it, is one of the most direct ways to help.

This International Overdose Awareness Day, now that you know how to get naloxone for free, consider getting some, learning how to use it, and sharing this post. If you have questions about finding care, NeedyMeds’ toll-free helpline is available weekdays at 1-800-503-6897.

This post is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. In an overdose emergency, call 911 immediately.

The post International Overdose Awareness Day: How to Get Naloxone, Often for Free appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, causing raised, scaly patches that can itch, crack, and hurt. It affects more than 7.5 million adults in the United States, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, and for many people it’s a lifelong condition. Today’s treatments — especially the newer biologics — can clear skin dramatically, but psoriasis medication costs are a real barrier: these are often specialty medications with high price tags. This Psoriasis Action Month, we’re highlighting the treatments used and, more importantly, the programs that help make them affordable.

Understanding psoriasis

Psoriasis happens when an overactive immune system tells skin cells to grow far faster than normal. Instead of shedding gradually, the cells pile up into the thick, scaly plaques that characterize the disease. It often appears on the elbows, knees, and scalp, but it can show up anywhere. Psoriasis is also linked to psoriatic arthritis — joint inflammation that affects up to a third of people with the skin condition — which is why many of the same medications treat both. Care is usually guided by a dermatologist and, when joints are involved, a rheumatologist.

Common treatments for psoriasis

Treatment depends on how much of the body is affected and how severe the disease is. Milder cases are often managed with topical creams and ointments; moderate-to-severe psoriasis frequently calls for systemic medications:

Oral systemic medications. Otezla (apremilast) is a pill that works from the inside to reduce inflammation, and is a common step before or alongside biologics.

Biologic medications. Biologics target the specific immune signals that drive psoriasis, and have transformed treatment for moderate-to-severe disease. Several are commonly prescribed:

• Humira (adalimumab)
• Skyrizi (risankizumab)
• Cosentyx (secukinumab)
• Tremfya (guselkumab)
• Taltz (ixekizumab)
• Enbrel (etanercept)

Because these are specialty medications, they’re where cost becomes the biggest barrier — and where the most assistance is available.

How NeedyMeds can help with psoriasis medication costs

Psoriasis medications are backed by manufacturer copay cards, patient assistance programs, and diagnosis-based funds. Patient assistance programs and diagnosis-based funds each have their own pages you can open directly. Copay cards work differently — they’re shown within each medication’s page — so throughout this section, click a medication name to see its specific copay-card details.

If you have commercial insurance: manufacturer copay cards

For people with commercial (non-government) insurance, manufacturer savings cards can bring out-of-pocket costs down dramatically — in many cases to as little as $0. Click a medication to see its current card details:

• Skyrizi — the Skyrizi Complete Savings Card lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $0 per dose (up to an annual maximum).
• Humira — the Humira Complete Savings Card lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $0 per monthly prescription.
• Otezla — the Otezla Co-Pay Program lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $0 per prescription.
• Taltz — the Taltz Savings Card lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $5 per 28-day supply (up to an annual maximum).

(Copay-card terms and eligibility are set by the manufacturer and can change; open the medication’s page on NeedyMeds to confirm current details before relying on a specific amount. Copay cards are generally not available to patients with government insurance such as Medicare or Medicaid.)

Coverage-gap “bridge” programs

A hurdle unique to specialty drugs is waiting for insurance approval. Several manufacturers offer free medication to bridge that gap:

• Cosentyx — the “Covered Until You’re Covered” program can provide medication free of charge for up to two years for eligible commercially insured patients awaiting a coverage decision.
• Otezla — the Otezla Bridge Program can provide free medication for up to twelve fills for eligible patients experiencing a coverage delay.

If you’re uninsured or have limited income: Patient Assistance Programs

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) provide medication free or at low cost to patients who meet income eligibility requirements:

• myAbbVie Assist — covers Skyrizi for eligible patients.
• Amgen Safety Net Foundation — provides Otezla and Enbrel at no cost to eligible uninsured and underinsured patients.
• Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation — covers Cosentyx for eligible patients.
• Lilly Cares Foundation — covers Taltz for eligible patients.

Diagnosis-based assistance

Some foundations offer help based on the diagnosis rather than a specific drug. For psoriasis, one to know about is the Assistance Fund Psoriasis Copay Assistance Program, which provides copay assistance specifically for patients diagnosed with psoriasis. Like most foundation funds, it opens and closes during the year based on available funding.

For everyone: the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card

If you’re uninsured, underinsured, or a medication isn’t covered, the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can be used at most pharmacies nationwide — no sign-up, no personal information, and no fees. Check current prices for your medication at drugpricing.needymeds.org, or get the card on your phone with the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card app for iOS and Android.

You have options

Living with psoriasis is a long-term commitment, and psoriasis medication costs shouldn’t put the medications that keep it under control out of reach. Click any medication above to see the programs available for it, or search your specific medication at needymeds.org.

This Psoriasis Action Month, please share this post with someone who might need it. Effective treatment exists — and so does help paying for it.

The post Psoriasis Action Month: Finding Help with Medication Costs appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

Rasonque (daraxonrasib) is a newly approved treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer — and for patients and families facing this diagnosis, questions about cost can add to an already overwhelming time. This post explains what Rasonque is and walks through the programs that can help with the Rasonque cost.

What Rasonque is

Rasonque (daraxonrasib) is a once-daily pill made by Revolution Medicines. According to the FDA, it was approved on August 26, 2026, for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma — the most common form of pancreatic cancer — who have already received at least one prior treatment, or who are not candidates for standard combination chemotherapy. It works by targeting the RAS family of proteins, which drive the growth of many pancreatic cancers, and is the first medicine approved to broadly target that pathway in this disease. Rasonque is not a cure, but in its clinical trial it meaningfully extended how long patients lived compared with chemotherapy.

Because it’s a brand-new specialty medication, its cost — and what insurance will cover — is a genuine concern for many families. Here’s what help is available.

How to afford Rasonque: help with the Rasonque cost

Because copay cards and support programs are shown on the medication’s page rather than linked directly, click Rasonque to see the current details for the programs below.

If you have commercial insurance: the (ON)Path Copay Assistance Program

Revolution Medicines offers a copay assistance program through its patient support service, (ON)Path Patient Support. Through the (ON)Path Copay Assistance Program, eligible patients with commercial (non-government) insurance may pay as little as $0 per month for Rasonque. Enrollment and eligibility details are handled through (ON)Path, which can also help with navigating insurance and coverage questions.

If you have Medicare or Medicaid, or no insurance

An important note: like most manufacturer copay cards, the (ON)Path copay program is generally not available to patients with government insurance such as Medicare or Medicaid — and pancreatic cancer affects many older adults who are on Medicare. If that’s your situation, or if you’re uninsured, there are still avenues worth pursuing:

• The (ON)Path Patient Support program itself can help connect eligible patients with reimbursement services and other assistance resources, so it’s worth contacting them regardless of your insurance type.
• The HealthWell Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Fund – Medicare Access provides financial assistance with insurance copays and premiums specifically for Medicare patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• The Assistance Fund Pancreatic Cancer Copay Assistance Program and the TotalAssist Pancreatic Cancer Fund both provide financial assistance to patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
• The National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation helps with non-medical expenses for patients currently in treatment.

Like most foundation funds, these open and close during the year based on available funding, so it’s worth checking each one’s current status. The HarborPath Oncology Patient Assistance Program is another nonprofit resource that helps eligible patients access oncology medications.

Pancreatic cancer support organizations

Beyond medication cost, national organizations offer free help navigating a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, including financial and access counseling. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) runs a free Patient Services program that helps patients understand treatment options and connect with financial and practical resources. Their services are free and available to any patient or caregiver.

Assistance is still developing — how to keep checking

Because Rasonque is so new, the assistance landscape around it will continue to develop, and additional programs may appear over time. The best way to stay current is to check its page on NeedyMeds directly: Rasonque shows the assistance programs and savings offers in our database for it, updated as new ones are added. You can also search any medication at needymeds.org.

If you need help affording other medications during treatment — for pain, nausea, or other supportive care — the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can lower prices at most pharmacies nationwide, with no sign-up or fees, and works through the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card app for iOS and Android.

Getting help

Navigating the cost of a new cancer treatment is a lot to take on, especially alongside everything else a diagnosis brings. If you’d like help finding assistance, NeedyMeds’ toll-free helpline is available weekdays at 1-800-503-6897, and Rasonque’s own (ON)Path program can be reached to discuss enrollment and coverage.

You don’t have to navigate the cost alone

A pancreatic cancer diagnosis is one of the hardest things a family can face, and worrying about how to afford treatment shouldn’t have to be part of it. The Rasonque cost can feel daunting, but between the manufacturer’s copay program, patient support services, and independent pancreatic-cancer funds, there are people whose job is to help you access this medication. Click Rasonque to see the current programs, and reach out — you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

This post is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk to your oncology care team about whether Rasonque is right for your situation.

The post How to Afford Rasonque (daraxonrasib), a New Pancreatic Cancer Treatment appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

According to the CDC, about 220,000 children under 18 in the United States have arthritis — a group of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in kids and teens. The good news is that today’s medications can control the disease and protect growing joints. The challenge is juvenile arthritis medication costs: many of the most effective treatments are specialty biologics that can carry very high price tags. This Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the treatments used and, more importantly, the programs that help families afford them.

Understanding juvenile arthritis

Juvenile arthritis isn’t a single disease — it’s an umbrella term for several conditions, the most common being juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). These are autoimmune conditions, meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own joints. Left untreated, the inflammation can interfere with a child’s growth and development, which is why early, consistent treatment matters. Care is usually managed by a pediatric rheumatologist and often combines medication, physical therapy, and regular monitoring.

Common treatments for juvenile arthritis

Treatment is typically layered, starting with the least aggressive option that controls the disease:

NSAIDs and conventional DMARDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help with pain and swelling, while conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) — most commonly methotrexate — work to slow the disease itself. Methotrexate is available in several forms, including Otrexup (a subcutaneous auto-injector).

Biologic DMARDs. When conventional DMARDs aren’t enough, biologics target specific parts of the immune response. Several are used in children and are commonly prescribed for JIA:

• Enbrel (etanercept)
• Humira (adalimumab)
• Orencia (abatacept)
• Actemra (tocilizumab)
• Kineret (anakinra)

Because these are specialty medications, they’re also where cost becomes the biggest barrier — and where the most assistance is available.

How NeedyMeds can help with juvenile arthritis medication costs

Juvenile arthritis medications are backed by manufacturer copay cards, patient assistance programs, and diagnosis-based funds. Patient assistance programs and diagnosis-based funds each have their own pages you can open directly. Copay cards work differently — they’re shown within each medication’s page — so throughout this section, click a medication name to see its specific copay-card details.

If you have commercial insurance: manufacturer copay cards

For families with commercial (non-government) insurance, manufacturer savings cards can bring out-of-pocket costs down dramatically — in many cases to as little as $0 per dose or per month. Click a medication to see its current card details:

• Enbrel — the Enbrel Co-pay Program lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $0 per dose.
• Humira — the Humira Complete Savings Card lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $0 per monthly prescription.
• Orencia — the Orencia On Call co-pay card lets eligible commercially insured patients pay as little as $5 per month (up to an annual maximum).
• Actemra — the Actemra Co-pay Card lets eligible commercially insured patients pay $0 per prescription (up to an annual maximum).
• Kineret — the Kineret Copay Program lets eligible commercially insured patients pay $0 per monthly prescription (up to an annual maximum).

(Copay-card terms and eligibility are set by the manufacturer and can change; open the medication’s page on NeedyMeds to confirm current details before relying on a specific amount. Copay cards are generally not available to patients with government insurance such as Medicaid or CHIP.)

If you’re uninsured or have limited income: Patient Assistance Programs

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) provide medication free or at low cost to families who meet income eligibility requirements:

• Amgen Safety Net Foundation — provides Enbrel at no cost to eligible uninsured and underinsured patients.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation — covers Orencia for eligible patients.
• HealthWell Foundation Copay Program — an independent foundation that helps with copays and premiums for eligible patients (fund availability varies through the year).

Diagnosis-based assistance

Some foundations offer help based on the diagnosis rather than a specific drug. For juvenile arthritis families, one to know about is the Assistance Fund Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Copay Assistance Program, which provides copay assistance specifically for patients diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Like most foundation funds, it opens and closes during the year based on available funding.

For everyone: the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card

If you’re uninsured, underinsured, or a medication isn’t covered, the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can be used at most pharmacies nationwide — no sign-up, no personal information, and no fees. Check current prices for your child’s medication at drugpricing.needymeds.org, or get the card on your phone with the free NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card app for iOS and Android.

You have options

A juvenile arthritis diagnosis is a lot for any family to take in — but juvenile arthritis medication costs don’t have to be the barrier that stops treatment, and the medications that manage it are within reach. Click any medication above to see the programs available for it, or search your child’s specific medication at needymeds.org.

This Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, please share this post with a family who might need it. No one should have to choose between their child’s health and their budget.

The post Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month: Finding Help With Medication Costs appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

The redesigned NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card App is now available for both iPhone and Android. It’s free, it’s anonymous, and it helps you find the lowest price on your prescriptions at pharmacies near you.

Download it today

• iOS (iPhone & iPad): Download on the App Store
• Android: Get it on Google Play

No sign-up, no personal information

Open the app and tap “Continue Anonymously.” There’s no account to create, no email to enter, and no sign-up of any kind. We built it that way for a reason: we don’t track user data, period. Your prescriptions and your searches stay yours.

Find the lowest price near you

Here’s how it works:

1. Search for your drug and let autofill find it.
2. Pick the form, strength, and quantity.
3. Enter your ZIP code and how far you’re willing to travel.
4. See the price at local pharmacies, sorted lowest to highest.

You can also include generic versions in your search. A generic has the same active ingredient as the brand-name drug but usually costs a lot less, so it’s often where you’ll find the biggest savings.

Prices vary more than most people expect. The same prescription can cost a few dollars at one pharmacy and well over a hundred at another a few miles away, so it pays to check before you fill.

Get your card and show it at the pharmacy

Once you’ve found a price you like, download the card and save it to your phone. When you pick up your prescription, show the card to your pharmacist. No paperwork, no membership.

Save what you use

If you refill the same medication every month, you don’t have to start from scratch each time. Star your drugs and your pharmacies to save them. Next month, pull up the medication and pharmacy you saved and you’re done.

About NeedyMeds

NeedyMeds is a nonprofit working to improve access to affordable healthcare for people who need it. The Drug Discount Card App is available in English and Español, and like everything we do, it’s free.

Download it today and see what you can save.

• Download on the App Store
• Get it on Google Play

The post The New NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card App Is Here, on iOS and Android appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Approximately 40,000 people in the United States are living with cystic fibrosis (CF), with about 1,000 new cases diagnosed each year. CF is a progressive, genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other organs — leading to severe respiratory and digestive problems that require lifelong treatment. Thanks to advances in care, the median predicted survival age has climbed from 37 years in 2010 to 44 years in 2023 — but those treatments come at an extraordinary cost.

At NeedyMeds, we maintain a free database of patient assistance programs, discount options, and financial resources that can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Here’s a guide to finding help for commonly prescribed cystic fibrosis medications.

CFTR Modulators: A Breakthrough in CF Treatment

CFTR modulators are the most significant advance in cystic fibrosis treatment in decades. These medications target the underlying cause of CF by improving the function of the defective CFTR protein, rather than just treating symptoms. For eligible patients, CFTR modulators have dramatically improved lung function, reduced flares, and transformed the outlook for living with CF. However, they are also among the most expensive prescription medications in the United States.

Trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) — The first triple-combination CFTR modulator, approved in 2019. Trikafta is eligible for approximately 90% of people with CF and has been called the most significant breakthrough in CF care. It has been shown to dramatically improve lung function and reduce hospitalizations. Without insurance, Trikafta’s annual list price exceeds $300,000, making patient assistance programs essential for many families.

• Find Trikafta assistance programs

Kalydeco (ivacaftor) — The first FDA-approved CFTR modulator (2012), for patients with specific gating mutations. While it serves a smaller patient population than Trikafta, it remains an important option for those with eligible mutations.

• Find Kalydeco assistance programs

Orkambi (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) — An earlier CFTR modulator for patients homozygous for the F508del mutation. Some patients remain on Orkambi, particularly those who transitioned to it before Trikafta became available.

• Find Orkambi assistance programs

Airway Clearance Medications: Keeping the Lungs Clear

Daily airway clearance is a cornerstone of CF management. These medications help thin and clear the thick mucus that builds up in the lungs, reducing the risk of infections and preserving lung function.

Pulmozyme (dornase alfa) — An inhaled medication that breaks down DNA in mucus, making it thinner and easier to clear from the airways. Pulmozyme is one of the most widely used CF-specific therapies and is typically administered daily via nebulizer.

• Find Pulmozyme assistance programs

Inhaled Antibiotics: Fighting Chronic Lung Infections

Chronic lung infections — especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa — are a major source of morbidity in CF. Inhaled antibiotics deliver medication directly to the lungs, helping control infections while minimizing systemic side effects.

TOBI (tobramycin inhalation solution) — One of the most commonly prescribed inhaled antibiotics for CF patients with chronic Pseudomonas infections. TOBI is typically used in alternating 28-day on/off cycles.

• Find TOBI assistance programs

Cayston (aztreonam inhalation solution) — Another inhaled antibiotic used to treat chronic Pseudomonas infection in CF patients, often used as an alternative or in rotation with TOBI.

• Find Cayston assistance programs

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement: Supporting Digestion

About 90% of people with CF have pancreatic insufficiency, meaning their pancreas cannot produce enough enzymes to properly digest food. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is essential for absorbing nutrients and maintaining healthy weight — and it’s a medication that must be taken with every meal and snack, every day.

Creon (pancrelipase) — The most widely prescribed pancreatic enzyme replacement brand for CF patients.

• Find Creon assistance programs

Zenpep (pancrelipase) — Another commonly prescribed PERT option.

• Find Zenpep assistance programs

Pancreaze (pancrelipase) — An additional PERT formulation.

• Find Pancreaze assistance programs

Ultresa (pancrelipase) — Another available PERT option.

• Find Ultresa assistance programs

Financial Assistance Programs for CF Patients

Beyond medication-specific programs, dozens of organizations offer broader financial support for people living with cystic fibrosis — from copay assistance and living expenses to scholarships, fitness grants, and transplant support.

Diagnosis-Based Assistance Programs

NeedyMeds maintains a dedicated list of more than 50 organizations that provide financial assistance specifically for CF patients.

• Browse all cystic fibrosis diagnosis-based assistance programs

Here are a few programs to know about:

HealthWell Foundation — Cystic Fibrosis Treatments Fund — Provides financial assistance for insurance co-payments and premiums related to CF treatments.

• Learn more about the HealthWell Foundation CF Fund

Breathe Believe — Provides financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

• Learn more about Breathe Believe

Cystic Dreams Fund — Provides financial assistance to individuals with cystic fibrosis.

• Learn more about the Cystic Dreams Fund

Breathe for Bea Foundation — Provides assistance to individuals diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

• Learn more about the Breathe for Bea Foundation

Live2Thrive — Provides free shipments of vitamins and supplements to individuals with cystic fibrosis — an important resource given that nutritional supplementation is a key part of CF care.

• Learn more about Live2Thrive

More Ways NeedyMeds Can Help

Our resources go beyond what’s listed here. Use these tools to find additional assistance:

• Search for any medication: Use our drug search on the NeedyMeds homepage to find programs for medications not listed above
• Search by diagnosis: Find condition-specific assistance programs at our program search page
• Free drug discount card: Our NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can save you up to 80% on prescriptions at participating pharmacies
• Call our helpline: Speak with a trained volunteer who can help you navigate your options at 1-800-503-6897

Living with cystic fibrosis means managing a complex daily treatment regimen — and the financial burden shouldn’t be part of that struggle. This Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, take a few minutes to explore the resources available to you. You might be surprised at how much help is out there.

All NeedyMeds resources are free to use. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people afford their medications and healthcare costs.

The post Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month: Finding Help with Medication Costs appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.

May is Lupus Awareness Month. An estimated 1.5 million Americans are living with some form of lupus, with approximately 16,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Lupus disproportionately affects women — about 9 out of 10 people with lupus are female — and is two to three times more prevalent among Black, Hispanic/Latina, Native American, Alaska Native, and Asian American women than among white women. For many people living with lupus, the disease means a lifetime of managing symptoms, preventing flares, and juggling multiple medications — all of which come with significant costs.

At NeedyMeds, we maintain a free database of patient assistance programs, discount options, and financial resources that can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Here’s a guide to finding help for commonly prescribed lupus medications.

Hydroxychloroquine: The Foundation of Lupus Treatment

Hydroxychloroquine is considered the cornerstone of lupus treatment — nearly every person diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) will be prescribed it. Research has shown it can reduce mortality risk by roughly 50% in SLE patients, making it one of the most important medications in a lupus patient’s regimen. It helps prevent flares, reduces organ damage over time, and is often the first medication prescribed after diagnosis.

Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) — The most widely prescribed lupus medication; recommended for virtually all SLE patients

• Find Plaquenil assistance programs

Corticosteroids: Managing Flares

Corticosteroids are used to quickly control inflammation during lupus flares. While they are effective at reducing symptoms, long-term use of high-dose corticosteroids carries significant risks, including increased organ damage. Doctors typically aim to keep patients on the lowest effective dose and taper off as quickly as possible.

Deltasone (prednisone) — The most commonly prescribed corticosteroid for lupus; used by nearly every SLE patient at some point to control flares

• Find Deltasone assistance programs

Medrol (methylprednisolone) — Another corticosteroid option, sometimes used for more severe flares or when an alternative to prednisone is needed

• Find Medrol assistance programs

Immunosuppressants: Controlling the Overactive Immune System

For patients with moderate-to-severe lupus — especially those with kidney involvement (lupus nephritis) — immunosuppressant medications are critical. These drugs work by dampening the immune system’s attack on the body’s own tissues.

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) — A first-line immunosuppressant for lupus nephritis and one of the most widely prescribed medications for moderate-to-severe SLE; effective in inducing remission in a majority of kidney cases

• Find CellCept assistance programs

Imuran (azathioprine) — A long-standing immunosuppressant used for maintenance therapy, especially after initial treatment of lupus nephritis

• Find Imuran assistance programs

Rheumatrex (methotrexate) — Commonly used for lupus-related joint pain and skin symptoms

• Find Rheumatrex assistance programs

Biologic Therapy: Targeted Treatment

Biologic medications represent a newer approach to lupus treatment, targeting specific parts of the immune system rather than suppressing it broadly. These medications can be highly effective but also come with significant costs — Benlysta, for example, can cost over $5,000 per month without insurance.

Benlysta (belimumab) — The first medication specifically FDA-approved for lupus; available as both a subcutaneous injection for at-home use and an intravenous infusion given in a healthcare setting. Early use has been shown to reduce flare frequency by 25–30%.

• Find Benlysta assistance programs

Financial Assistance Programs for Lupus Patients

Beyond medication-specific programs, several organizations offer broader financial support for people living with lupus.

Diagnosis-Based Assistance Programs

NeedyMeds maintains a dedicated list of organizations that provide financial assistance specifically for lupus patients — including help with copays, treatment costs, living expenses, and other needs.

• Browse all lupus diagnosis-based assistance programs

Here are a few programs to know about:

The Assistance Fund — Lupus Copay Assistance Program — Provides financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with lupus for treatment copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.

• Learn more about the Assistance Fund

The Obstacle of Lupus Organization — Provides financial assistance to lupus patients for rent, utility bills, transportation, medical visits, and medications.

• Learn more about The Obstacle of Lupus Organization

Help Hope Live — Supports community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical expenses and related costs due to catastrophic illnesses, helping patients access the care and equipment they need.

• Learn more about Help Hope Live

Children With Hair Loss (CWHL) — Provides hair replacement systems to children experiencing hair loss due to medical treatments or health conditions — a common side effect of lupus medications.

• Learn more about Children With Hair Loss

More Ways NeedyMeds Can Help

Our resources go beyond what’s listed here. Use these tools to find additional assistance:

• Search for any medication: Use our drug search on the NeedyMeds homepage to find programs for medications not listed above
• Search by diagnosis: Find condition-specific assistance programs at our program search page
• Free drug discount card: Our NeedyMeds Drug Discount Card can save you up to 80% on prescriptions at participating pharmacies
• Call our helpline: Speak with a trained volunteer who can help you navigate your options at 1-800-503-6897

Living with lupus is a daily challenge — and worrying about the cost of medication shouldn’t be part of it. This Lupus Awareness Month, take a few minutes to explore the resources available to you. You might be surprised at how much help is out there.

All NeedyMeds resources are free to use. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people afford their medications and healthcare costs.

The post Lupus Awareness Month: Finding Help with Medication Costs appeared first on NeedyMeds Blog.