August 2012 Archives

I come from a large rural farming family, and my parents worked hard to ensure that their 10 children had the means to get an education. Finances were always at the forefront of my parents concerns, but they understood the importance of preparing us for the new school year. Not just the basics of having a notebook, but having "proper" attire and supplies so we would not teased by other kids. My parents made personal sacrifices to provide me and my siblings with supplies and clothes for the new school year so we could focus on our education.

Since not all parents can afford school supplies for their children, the Durham Rescue Mission hosts a "Back to School Party" each year to provide backpacks, food, and clothing. GSK has been the long-term sponsor of this event (providing the backpacks and school supplies), and I have had the privilege of being on GSK's organizing committee for the past seven years. This year, nearly 200 GSK employees (and some of our family members) helped assemble and distribute nearly 3,000 school backpacks and basketballs. Our volunteers also helped serve food to the families at the event.

The parents who showed up at the mission have the same desire as my parents--to help increase their child's chance of succeeding in getting an education and leaving behind their current circumstances. Witnessing the gratitude of the parents and the children firsthand brings back so many great memories of my own parents. Most importantly, I know the book bags and materials will make a difference for those 3,000 kids who will be able to walk into school on the first day ready to learn. 

I've been fortunate to work on GSK's Patient Assistance Programs for five years and I see first-hand how we assist  patients in need on a daily basis. Those of us who work on these programs are very proud of what we do and the help GSK provides individuals who can't afford their GSK medicine. Our programs assist patients who are unable to work due to their illness, those who are between jobs, and patients and families who may be adversely impacted by the economic downturn.

Often our team receives hand-written notes of appreciation from people who have used one of our programs to get the medicine they need. They submit comments like "My family falls 'between the cracks' and without this sort of help we would be in real trouble," and "you have been a Godsend to our family."

Last year alone GSK provided the equivalent of about 2.6 million 30-day prescription fills to close to half a million eligible patients who otherwise couldn't afford their GSK medicine.

To help patients navigate GSK's patient assistance programs and other cost savings offerings, we have enhanced one of GSK's key access websites--www.GSKForYou.com. Our new site not only provides a wealth of information for patients needing help paying for their medicines, it also features interactive eligibility tools and a video with step-by-step instructions on how to apply for help from the patient assistance programs offered by GSK.

We've spent a lot of time updating www.GSKForYou.com to make it a meaningful and useful site. By using the tools on the site, patients can find out in real-time if they might qualify for one of our patient assistance programs as well as which program is most appropriate for them. They can then go to that program's website and complete an application, and send it right from there. We also recognize that the US healthcare system is changing. Many patients, who previously did not have insurance, or weren't eligible for government insurance programs, will have access to healthcare once the healthcare reform law takes effect in 2014. On our site, healthcare providers and patients can view a healthcare reform timeline of events that may impact them and their families.

Find out for yourself what it's all about by visiting www.GSKForYou.com today.