What is a "patient assistance program" (PAP)?

A patient assistance program (PAP) is specifically designed to provide support to patients who are struggling to afford their medications. These programs, typically offered by pharmaceutical companies, aim to alleviate the financial burden for individuals, particularly those who may lack insurance or have limited financial resources. By providing access to necessary medications at low or no cost, PAPs play a crucial role in improving medication adherence and health outcomes for patients.

This focus on affordability distinguishes PAPs from other types of programs, such as those aimed at training healthcare workers or boosting pharmacy sales, which do not directly address the financial challenges faced by patients in obtaining necessary medications. Further, while programs that provide health insurance for low-income patients do serve an essential role in the healthcare system, they do not specifically target the cost of medications as PAPs do. Therefore, the primary objective of a PAP is to enhance medication access, making option C the most accurate representation of what a patient assistance program entails.