Patient Access Network Creates Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer Fund

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 3, 2011– Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation has created a Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer(CRPC) fund to assist underinsured patients with their high out-of-pocket costs. Patients will receive up to $7,500 per year to cover copayments, coinsurances, and deductibles associated with their CRPC medications. Patients who earn up to 500% of the Federal Poverty Level, or $73,550 for a family of two, will be eligible for  assistance.

“We are encouraged to see the development of progressive therapies for Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer patients and look forward to providing these patients with co-payment assistance for life-saving medications," said Pat McKercher, PAN's Interim President. PAN will launch the Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer fund once sufficient support for this fund has been secured to ensure continuity of care.

Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer refers to a progression of Prostate Cancer where patients are no longer responsive to castration treatment and the cancer shows reliance upon hormones for androgen receptor activation.

Patients can start the application process online at www.PANFoundation.org or by calling (866)316-PANF (7263).

This new fund is an expansion of PAN’s 31 existing disease funds that cover conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and plaque psoriasis. PAN provides grants of $1,500 to $15,000 per year to qualified patients to help pay for medications for these diseases. Since 2004, PAN has provided more than $173 million in assistance for out-of-pocket expenses to more than 125,000 patients in need. For more information about the Patient Access Network Foundation, visit www.PANFoundation.org.