[verbatim] The 'Help is Here Express' bus tour will be stopping in Mississippi the week of March 9-13 at various cities throughout the state in order to help uninsured and financially-struggling Mississippians access information on programs that provide prescription medicines for free or nearly free.
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The PPA, a nationwide effort sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies, provides a single point of access to more than 475 patient assistance programs that help those who are uninsured or struggling financially. Nearly 200 of the programs are provided by pharmaceutical companies.

In Jackson, the PPA will be at the Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Drive) on March 10, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Jerry Mathers, best known for playing Beaver in the TV show "Leave it to Beaver," will appear during the stop.

The "Help is Here Express" will be in Mississippi from March 9 through March 13. For information on other stops in the state, please refer to the PPA news release.

"The PPA, so far, has helped well over 101,000 Mississippians find out if they may qualify for free or discounted medicines and as we move forward into 2009, the assistance is still available," said PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin. "That's good news for the citizens of Mississippi, where there are 103,500 people out of work."

Patients who qualify for help from the PPA's participating patient assistance programs have access to more than 2,500 brand-name and generic prescription medicines. In addition, the PPA provides information on more than 10,000 free health care clinics in America and has connected more than 277,000 patients with clinics and health care providers in their communities.

Patients seeking help from PPA can call a toll-free number (1-888-4-PPA-NOW) to talk to a trained operator or access the PPA Web site (http://www.pparx.org). It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to find out if someone may qualify for free or discounted medications.