OMAHA, Neb., June 1 < 2005 -- The Partnership for Prescription Assistance, 
a groundbreaking nationwide initiative to help qualifying patients
who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need, launched the
Nebraska chapter today.  The partnership brings together America's
pharmaceutical companies, doctors and other health care providers, patient
advocates and 18 local health and civic organizations in Nebraska to help
patients find the public or private patient assistance program that's right
for them.

Dr. Diana Doyle praised the group for developing and offering this
resource.  "I am pleased to endorse this assistance program because I
encounter many patients who have to make critical decisions about how to pay
for prescription medicines," said Dr. Diana Doyle.  "By providing a single
access point for all these programs the Partnership for Prescription
Assistance will make it easier for me to help patients gain greater access to
life saving medications."

As the state chapter of the new national program, the Partnership for
Prescription Assistance of Nebraska provides a single point of access to more
than 275 public and private patient assistance programs, including more than
150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.  These programs provide
assistance on more than 2,000 brand name medicines and a wide range of
generics.  Patients in need may qualify to get prescription medicines for free
or nearly free. Qualifying patients will also be given information on how to
contact government programs.

Local health organizations support the program because it will provide
immediate assistance to their patient membership.  "The American Lung
Association is pleased to partner with other organizations and groups
concerned with providing quality healthcare to people in Omaha," said Mary
Peterson, Executive Director, American Lung Association.  "This is an
easy-to-use tool that allows us to better serve the community and helps people
get the medications they need to stay healthy."

To find out if they may qualify, patients can visit a user-friendly Web
site or call toll free to speak with a trained specialist who will guide them
through the application process in English, Spanish and approximately 150
other languages.  Millions of patients across the country have received free
or nearly free medicines through these programs, and millions more may
qualify.

"Over 184,000 people in our state who lack prescription coverage and
cannot afford medications could benefit from the program," said Michelle
Grossman, Vice President of Community Health Charities.  "The Partnership for
Prescription Assistance program will increase access to medications and help
improve the lives of many people throughout Nebraska."

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance of Nebraska is part of an
extensive nationwide grassroots program.  The state chapter will work with
community leaders to help boost enrollment in and increase awareness of
patient assistance programs throughout the state.

Patients who need help paying for their prescription medicines should call
toll-free at 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669) or visit http://www.pparx.org to
see if they may qualify.

    PARTNERS:

    Alzheimer's Association Great Plains Chapter
    Alzheimer's Association Midlands Chapter
    American Lung Association of Nebraska
    Arthritis Foundation, Nebraska Chapter
    Community Health Charities Nebraska
    Easter Seals Nebraska
    Mental Health Association of Nebraska
    NAMI Nebraska
    National Kidney Foundation of Nebraska
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Nebraska Chapter
    Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians
    Nebraska Hospital Association
    Nebraska AIDS Project
    Nebraska Medical Association
    Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
    Prevent Blindness Nebraska
    United Way of the Midlands
    2-1-1 Nebraska
    Urban League of Nebraska