Direct Relief USA and Roche Partner to Provide Supplies to Uninsured Patients with Diabetes at No Cost
200 Community Clinics and Health Centers in 31 States to Participate
SANTA BARBARA, CA (February 2, 2010) – Direct Relief USA, a program of humanitarian medical aid group Direct Relief International, has partnered with Roche to increase access to needed medical supplies among low-income, uninsured patients with diabetes served by 200 community clinics and health centers throughout the United States.
Roche will donate over $5 million worth of ACCU-CHEK® Aviva blood glucose meters and test strips to Direct Relief USA to distribute to clinic partners and into the hands of patients who are unable to afford these necessary supplies.
Until now, Roche has made these supplies available to low-income, uninsured patients through its patient assistance program (PAP). However, with the high concentration of PAP-eligible patients within safety-net clinics, the decision was made to partner with Direct Relief USA because of their strong network of over 1,100 community clinics and health centers nationwide. Direct Relief’s relationship with this clinic network enables Roche to most effectively reach patients needing glucose testing products.
"This partnership with Roche is great news for our clinic and health center partners and their patients," states Direct Relief President and CEO, Thomas Tighe. "In 2009, we surveyed community clinics in all 50 states and found that they were experiencing a dramatic rise in the number of uninsured patients with diabetes that were coming through their doors. A program like this will help clinics cope with the influx of patients that need testing supplies."
Clinics in 31 states and Washington D.C. were identified to participate in the program based on previous involvement with Roche’s PAP, as well as those located in areas with high rates of unemployment. It is anticipated that this program will provide thousands of patients who are unable to afford testing supplies with the resources necessary to better monitor and manage their condition.
About Direct Relief International
Founded in 1948, Direct Relief is a Santa Barbara, California-based nonprofit organization focused on improving quality of life by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide. Direct Relief has provided more than $1 billion in privately funded humanitarian aid since 2000, including more than $150 million in assistance in the United States. It has earned a fundraising efficiency score of 99 percent or better from Forbes for the past eight years, and is ranked by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as California’s largest international nonprofit organization based on private support. For more information, please visit www.DirectRelief.org.
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