AIPS Seeks Donations To Provide Meds For Needy

The American Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (AIPS), a nonprofit organization in Tampa, is focused on helping those in financial distress get the medications they need.

"One substantial challenge that our team is focused on is the issue of uninsured and under-insured patients who are not able to afford their life-sustaining medications," says Mike Thiel, VP of marketing and business development at AIPS."When patients cannot obtain their medications or services, they end up flooding into emergency departments with the taxpayers having to cover the expenses."

AIPS developed a program to help called "Prescription Support.''

"The reality is that we could all find ourselves in similar circumstances related to changes in employment, financial position or even the occurrence of an unanticipated medical crisis," says Thiel. AIPS assists those who are uninsured, under-insured, have high deductibles, high out-of-pocket expenses, are diagnosed with a catastrophic condition or have exceeded their policy limits, he says.

Since its inception in 2007, according to Thiel, AIPS has provided more than $30 million in free medications and is seeking support from the community.

"We are at a critical level of financial needs at this juncture based on the tremendous needs for the services across our community," says Thiel. "Any and all donations are appreciated and will make an immediate positive impact."

Writer: Kimberly Patterson
Source: Mike Thiel, The American Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences