New York, March 6, 2002 - With the support of Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (TAHSA), Pfizer launched a campaign throughout Texas today to enroll thousands of eligible Medicare recipients in its Pfizer for Living Share Card program, which includes a $15 prescription drug benefit. The campaign is part of Pfizer’s commitment to reach millions of Medicare-enrolled Americans nationwide who lack prescription drug coverage. 

The Share Card campaign in Texas was launched today during events at TAHSA centers in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Additional recruitment activities were conducted at approximately 150 other TAHSA sites throughout the state. 

The Texas campaign is one of Pfizer’s ongoing local enrollment initiatives targeted for states with a high percentage of eligible seniors. To date, Pfizer has mailed approximately 450,000 enrollment packages to low-income seniors throughout the U.S. and is committed to community outreach efforts across the country.

“The Share Card program is an important policy milestone that bridges the gap in drug coverage for some of our most needy seniors until Medicare reform is enacted,” said Texas Governor Rick Perry. “Innovative medicines play a vital role in the health of the elderly and I am pleased that Pfizer is addressing this need in Texas.”

“Texas is home to almost 450,000 people who stand to benefit from the Share Card. We’ve distributed about 20,000 enrollment packets in Texas since we launched the program in January. Starting with today’s events, we hope to enroll close to 30,000 people this week alone,” said Pfizer Executive Vice President and President of Pfizer’s Global Pharmaceutical Business Karen Katen. “With Governor Perry’s personal involvement, as well as our partnership with TAHSA, we're off to a great start in bringing the benefits of the Share Card to people across Texas.”

The Share Card program provides health benefits to enrollees, including: the card itself, which will enable them to pay $15 for each 30-day Pfizer prescription; a call center, with live operators, to request enrollment materials and learn about other health services and benefits that may be available to them; and easy-to-read health information on their medical conditions. 

Since Pfizer announced the program in January, the Share Card benefit program has received numerous endorsements from national leaders in medicine, patient advocacy and health policy, including AARP, The National Council on the Aging, The Latino Coalition, Senators John Breaux (D-Louisiana) and Joseph Lieberman (D-Connecticut), and Governors John G. Rowland (R-Connecticut) and Jeb Bush (R-Florida). 

The Pfizer Share Card can be used at over 37,000 retail pharmacies nationwide, including chains such as CVS and Wal-Mart and many independent stores throughout the country. The Share Card covers Pfizer medicines including therapies for many diseases that are chronic and often untreated among the elderly such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. 

“TAHSA is excited to be working with Pfizer to enroll the senior citizens we serve directly, together with thousands of other needy Texas Medicare enrollees," said David Thomason, Public Policy Director with TAHSA. "By spearheading the Pfizer for Living Share Card statewide enrollment drive, we hope to bring prescription medicines to those who need them most. Our active participation in the Share Card initiative will continue on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that all eligible Texans who need prescription drug assistance will have access to the plan."

“I have seen many patients return to my office with the same untreated conditions for which I prescribed medications that may never have been filled,” said Rodolfo Alamia, M.D., Director of Sweet Vida Medical Center in Austin, a facility particularly involved in the management of patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. "Without patient access to these critical medications, their health suffers unnecessarily. It’s also very helpful to patients and their families that enrollment and health information is available in Spanish.” 

To qualify for the Share Card, individual Medicare enrollees, must have annual income below $18,000 ($24,000 for couples who file joint tax returns), and have no other prescription coverage.

Pfizer medicines most often used by Medicare recipients include Lipitorâ for cholesterol-lowering, Norvascâ for high blood pressure and angina, and Zoloftâ for depression. The program will also include two medicines that Pfizer co-promotes with other companies: UCB Pharma’s Zyrtecâ, a second generation antihistamine and Eisai Co.’s Ariceptâ, a treatment for the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. These five medicines as well as four others are among the 50 most-prescribed medicines for Medicare enrollees. No other company has as many medicines on this list.