What is a patient assistance program (PAP)?

A patient assistance program (PAP) is a manufacturer-sponsored program that provides free or discounted brand-name medications to patients who cannot afford them. Most major pharmaceutical companies - including Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, AbbVie, and Eli Lilly - operate PAPs for their highest-cost drugs.

Who qualifies for patient assistance programs?

Eligibility varies by program but typically requires: US residency, an income below a threshold the manufacturer sets relative to the Federal Poverty Level, no adequate prescription drug coverage, and a valid prescription. Some programs accept patients with insurance who still face high out-of-pocket costs.

How do I apply for a patient assistance program?

Applications typically require: (1) a completed application form from the manufacturer website, (2) proof of income (tax return or pay stubs), (3) proof of residency, (4) a prescription from your doctor, and (5) a signature from your prescribing physician. Most applications take 4-6 weeks to process.

Can I use a patient assistance program with Medicare?

Most manufacturer PAPs exclude Medicare Part D enrollees. However, Medicare patients may qualify for the Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, which can reduce Part D costs to a small fixed amount per prescription. Some manufacturers offer separate Medicare-specific assistance programs.

What is the difference between a PAP and a copay card?

Copay cards reduce your insurance copay, sometimes to nothing, and require commercial insurance. PAPs provide free medication to uninsured or underinsured patients who meet income requirements. Copay cards are faster to use; PAPs require a formal application but provide greater savings for eligible patients.

How long does a patient assistance program last?

Most PAP enrollments last 12 months and require annual re-application. Some programs auto-renew if your circumstances have not changed. Medication is typically shipped directly to your doctor's office or a designated pharmacy in 90-day supplies.

Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs): Get Free or Low-Cost Medications in 2026

Most large pharmaceutical manufacturers run a patient assistance program (PAP) that supplies brand-name medication free or at low cost to people who meet its income and insurance rules. This guide lists the programs for commonly prescribed brand-name drugs, what they generally require, and how to apply.

Last updated: April 2026 | Compare pharmacy prices free →

What Is a Patient Assistance Program and Who Qualifies?

Patient assistance programs are manufacturer-funded initiatives that provide free brand-name medications to patients who cannot afford them. Nearly every major pharmaceutical company operates a PAP. These programs exist because manufacturers face public pressure to improve drug access and receive tax benefits for charitable medication donations.

General eligibility requirements across most programs include:

US residency - Must be a legal US resident (some accept lawful non-citizen residents)
Income limit - Stated as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Check the current HHS table for your household size and multiply by the percentage the program states.
Insurance status - Uninsured, underinsured, or facing high out-of-pocket costs. Most exclude Medicare Part D enrollees (separate programs exist for Medicare)
Valid prescription - Active prescription from a licensed US physician
No other coverage - The drug is not covered or is unaffordable under existing insurance

💡 Pro tip: Even if you have insurance, you may qualify for a manufacturer copay card that reduces your out-of-pocket cost, sometimes to nothing. Copay cards are separate from PAPs and have easier eligibility. Check the table below for both options.

How Do You Apply for a Patient Assistance Program?

Applying for a patient assistance program takes about 30 minutes of paperwork and 4-6 weeks for processing. Most programs ship medication directly to your doctor's office in 90-day supplies. Here is the step-by-step process that works for nearly every manufacturer PAP.

Find your drug's PAP. Visit the manufacturer's website (listed in the table below), or search NeedyMeds.org or RxAssist.org for your specific medication.
Check income limits. Each program states its limit as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level, and some are considerably more generous than others, so check before assuming you are over the limit. Programs industry.
Gather documents. You will need: most recent federal tax return OR two recent pay stubs, proof of US residency (utility bill or government ID), and your current prescription.
Complete the application. Available online or by mail from the manufacturer. Both you and your prescribing physician must sign.
Submit through your doctor's office. Many physician offices have staff who handle PAP applications daily. Ask your doctor's office for help - they know the process.
Receive medication. Once approved (4-6 weeks), medication ships in 90-day supplies to your doctor's office or a designated pharmacy. Renewals are annual.

Which Drugs Have Patient Assistance Programs? Top 20 Brand-Name Medications

The following table lists patient assistance programs for the 20 most prescribed and most expensive brand-name drugs in the United States. Each entry includes the manufacturer program name, income limit, copay card option for insured patients, and direct links to apply.

1. Ozempic / Wegovy (semaglutide)

Novo Nordisk

PAP: Novo Nordisk PAP

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Ozempic Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: novocare.com

Separate programs for Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (weight management). NovoCare assists with both.

2. Humira (adalimumab)

AbbVie

PAP: myAbbVie Assist

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: HUMIRA Complete Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: abbvie.com/myabbvieassist

Biosimilars such as Hadlima and Hyrimoz are available at list prices well below Humira’s. Pharmacies on Script Unlock can quote a cash price for them.

3. Eliquis (apixaban)

Bristol-Myers Squibb / Pfizer

PAP: BMS Patient Assistance Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Eliquis Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: bmspaf.org

Generic apixaban expected by 2028. Until then, the PAP or savings card are the best options for reducing costs.

4. Keytruda (pembrolizumab)

Merck

PAP: Merck Patient Assistance Program

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Merck Co-Pay Assistance (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: merckhelps.com

Oncology drug administered in-clinic. PAP provides drug at no cost to qualifying patients through their oncologist.

5. Jardiance (empagliflozin)

Boehringer Ingelheim / Eli Lilly

PAP: BI Cares Patient Assistance

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Jardiance Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: boehringer-ingelheim.com/patient-assistance

Also covers Synjardy (empagliflozin/metformin). Lilly insulin programs are separate.

6. Stelara (ustekinumab)

Janssen (J&J)

PAP: Janssen CarePath Patient Assistance

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Janssen CarePath Savings (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: janssenprescriptionassistance.com

One of the more generous income thresholds. Covers subcutaneous and IV formulations.

7. Trulicity (dulaglutide)

Eli Lilly

PAP: Lilly Cares Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Trulicity Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: lillycares.com

GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes. Also check insulin programs if using multiple Lilly products.

8. Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

Janssen (J&J)

PAP: Janssen CarePath Patient Assistance

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Xarelto Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: janssenprescriptionassistance.com

Same generous J&J program as Stelara. Application covers all Janssen products.

9. Enbrel (etanercept)

Amgen

PAP: Amgen Safety Net Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Enbrel Support Copay Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: amgensafetynetfoundation.com

Biosimilar Erelzi now available. Compare biosimilar pricing on Script Unlock before applying for PAP.

10. Dupixent (dupilumab)

Sanofi / Regeneron

PAP: DUPIXENT MyWay

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: DUPIXENT MyWay Copay Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: dupixent.com/support

Covers atopic dermatitis, asthma, nasal polyps, and other approved indications.

11. Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan)

Novartis

PAP: Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Entresto Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: patient.novartis.com

Heart failure medication. Generic expected 2027. PAP covers full course until generic availability.

12. Ibrance (palbociclib)

Pfizer

PAP: Pfizer Patient Assistance Program

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Pfizer Oncology Together Co-Pay Savings (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: pfizerrxpathways.com

Breast cancer medication. Pfizer RxPathways also helps find other financial assistance options.

13. Revlimid (lenalidomide)

Bristol-Myers Squibb

PAP: BMS Patient Assistance Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: BMS Co-Pay Assistance (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: bmspaf.org

Multiple myeloma medication with REMS program. Distributed through certified pharmacies only.

14. Skyrizi (risankizumab)

AbbVie

PAP: myAbbVie Assist

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Skyrizi Complete Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: abbvie.com/myabbvieassist

Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis. Same AbbVie program as Humira - one application covers both.

15. Mounjaro / Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Eli Lilly

PAP: Lilly Cares Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Mounjaro Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: lillycares.com

Separate programs for Mounjaro (diabetes) and Zepbound (weight loss). Check eligibility for each indication.

16. Rinvoq (upadacitinib)

AbbVie

PAP: myAbbVie Assist

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: RINVOQ Complete Savings (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: abbvie.com/myabbvieassist

JAK inhibitor for RA, psoriatic arthritis, atopic dermatitis, UC, Crohn's. AbbVie combined application.

17. Farxiga (dapagliflozin)

AstraZeneca

PAP: AZ&Me Patient Assistance

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Farxiga Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: azandmeapp.com

SGLT2 inhibitor for diabetes, heart failure, CKD. AstraZeneca program covers all AZ products.

18. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine)

Takeda

PAP: Takeda Patient Assistance (HELP at Hand)

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Vyvanse Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: takeda.com/patients

ADHD/BED medication. Lower FPL threshold than most. Schedule II controlled substance - special handling.

19. Otezla (apremilast)

Amgen

PAP: Amgen Safety Net Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Otezla Savings Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: amgensafetynetfoundation.com

Oral psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis medication. No injection required.

20. Cosentyx (secukinumab)

Novartis

PAP: Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation

Income limit: stated on the program site as a multiple of the Federal Poverty Level

Copay card: Cosentyx CoPay Card (check the manufacturer site for current terms)

Apply: patient.novartis.com

IL-17A inhibitor for psoriasis, AS, PsA. Novartis program covers multiple Novartis products.

What If You Don't Qualify for a Patient Assistance Program?

Not everyone meets the income threshold for manufacturer PAPs. If your income is above the limit, or if you have Medicare Part D, several alternative options can still reduce your prescription costs significantly.

Manufacturer copay cards - Available for commercially insured patients regardless of income. They can reduce a brand-name copay substantially, sometimes to nothing.
State pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs) - 38 states operate their own programs. Search your state at Medicare.gov.
Nonprofit foundations - Organizations like the HealthWell Foundation, Patient Access Network (PAN), and Patient Advocate Foundation offer copay assistance with higher income limits.
Generic or biosimilar alternatives - If a generic or biosimilar exists, it is usually far cheaper than the brand name. Ask your doctor about therapeutic alternatives.
Compare pharmacy cash prices - Cash prices vary by up to 10× between pharmacies for the same drug. Upload your prescription to Script Unlock and let pharmacies quote their own cash price.

Can Medicare Patients Get Help With Prescription Costs?

Medicare Part D enrollees are excluded from most manufacturer PAPs. However, Medicare offers its own powerful cost-reduction program called Extra Help (also known as the Low-Income Subsidy or LIS). Extra Help can reduce your prescription costs to $0-$11.20 per medication per month.

To qualify for Extra Help you must have Medicare Part A or B and have income and resources below limits that the Social Security Administration updates each year. Check the current limits and apply at SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.

Learn more in our complete Medicare Part D guide.

What Is the Federal Poverty Level and How Does It Affect PAP Eligibility?

The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is updated annually by the Department of Health and Human Services. Manufacturers use FPL multiples to set income thresholds.

The dollar figures change every January and differ for Alaska and Hawaii, so we do not reproduce them here. Use the current table published by HHS: HHS Poverty Guidelines. Multiply the figure for your household size by the percentage the program states.

Frequently Asked Questions About Patient Assistance Programs

How long does it take to get approved for a PAP?

Most applications are processed in 4-6 weeks. Some manufacturers offer bridge supplies (a short-term free supply) while your application is being reviewed. Ask the program coordinator about bridge availability.

Can my pharmacist help me apply?

Yes. Many pharmacies - especially independent pharmacies - have staff trained to help with PAP applications. Some pharmacies specialize in connecting patients with manufacturer programs. Ask your pharmacist.

What happens if my income changes during the year?

You are typically evaluated at the time of application and annual renewal. If your income increases above the threshold mid-year, most programs will honor your enrollment until the renewal date.

Are there PAPs for generic drugs?

PAPs are almost exclusively for brand-name drugs. Generic drugs are already priced significantly lower. If you need help affording generics, compare cash prices on Script Unlock - generic prices vary by up to 10× between pharmacies.

Can undocumented immigrants use PAPs?

Some manufacturer programs require legal US residency; others accept any US resident regardless of immigration status. Check individual program requirements. Community health centers and 340B pharmacies may also offer discounted medications regardless of status.

Can't Wait 6 Weeks? Compare Pharmacy Prices Now

While PAP applications process, you can ask pharmacies to quote a cash price on your prescription. Upload it and licensed pharmacies respond; it is free for patients.

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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or financial advice. Patient assistance program details, eligibility criteria, and income limits may change. Always verify current program details directly with the manufacturer. Script Unlock is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical manufacturer.