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Help with Medications in Maryland

These resources are in priority order for you. They are listed in order of comprehensiveness and ease of use. 

Long Term Help

• The Maryland Pharmacy Program has two programs: MD Pharmacy Assistance, and Pharmacy Discount Program, for two different income levels. Call for an application 800-226-2142.
• MedBank of Maryland, Inc. – For free meds directly from the drug company. With one application they apply to for all your meds to all the drug companies for you. Each area in Maryland has their own MedBank organization.

• Central MD (Balt, Howard, Harford Carroll) 410-821-9262

• Upper Shore (Cecil, Kent, Queen Annes and Talbot ) 410-821-9262

• Mid-Shore (Dorchester and Caroline) 1-866-265-8137  OR 410-479-4306  OR  410-228-3223

• Lower Shore (Wicomico, Worchester, Somerset) 410-651-9852

• Southern MD (St. Mary’s, Charles, Calvert, Anne Arundel) 1-866-633-2265

• Western MD 

  • Allegany     301-784-7253 

  • Garrett       301-334-7742  OR  301-895-3113    

  • Washington Co.     301-393-3442  OR  301-393-3441

• D.C. Metro 

  • Frederick     301-694-1506    

  • Montgomery    301-628-3422   

  • Prince George’s      202-772-4337

• See the list  below of individual drug companies that you can apply to for free meds. Each medication requires it’s own application. 
• Other national programs like our Maryland MedBank program

• www.needymeds.com

• freemedicinefoundation.com

• The Medicine Program 1-573-996-7300

Shorter Term Solutions (temporary help with paying for meds)

• Prescription Drug Subsidy Plan – for those who are medicare eligible. $1000 worth of coverage for $10 per month premium with co-pays ($10, $20, or $35)  Call CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield at 1-800-972-4612
• Some drug companies have their own Pharmacy discount card such as “Together Rx”
• First Call for Help   
  • (410) 685-0525 in the greater Baltimore dialing area
  • (800) 492-0618 outside Baltimore
  • (410) 685-2159 TTY 
• County Core Service Agencies
• County Health Departments
• Catholic Charities    (410) 261-6772 

The text above was prepared by Linda O'Neil on February 13, 2004 

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Free Medication Programs

There are some pharmaceutical companies that offer free medications to low-income families. They require a doctor's consent and proof of your financial status. Depending on what your insurance covers, you may be able to apply. A few companies even allow family incomes as high as $40,000 annually (offset by expenses, of course).

Maryland residents who need free medications can receive assistance in obtaining them. MEDBANK of Maryland, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide access to prescription medications for chronically ill, low-income, underinsured/uninsured Maryland residents. MEDBANK assists healthcare providers and patients in completing the paperwork required to enroll patients in Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs. The program is now available statewide. Those interested in more information about the Maryland Medbank Program should call (410) 821-9262.

Here is a list of psychotropic medications with corresponding companies that feature patient-assistance programs and their contact numbers. Each medication listed has a link to either drug information provided at the pharmaceutical company website, or, if that is not available, information from Internet Mental Health.

Note: Some of these companies may prefer to speak directly with your doctor.

Thanks to NAMI (National) for allowing us to use the table of free medications. Check the NAMI National webpage on free medications which may have additional information.

Links to pharmaceutical companies created by NAMI Maryland. If you have a correction or addition to this list, please send an e-mail to jedelman@comcast.net:

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