Oregon Prescription Drug Program expanded

In November 2006, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 44, making the Oregon Prescription Drug Program (OPDP) available to all Oregon residents without prescription drug insurance coverage. There is no fee to join, and participants in the program receive up to 60 percent off the regular cost of prescription medications.

If your patients or their family members do not have prescription drug coverage, you should encourage them to apply for coverage through the OPDP. They must fill out an application and wait to receive a membership card, but there is no fee to join. The State of Oregon OPDP website has details on how to enroll.

Once enrolled, they can purchase prescription drugs at discounted prices for any medical problem (with a medical provider's prescription, of course) – it does not have to be related to a workplace injury.