NeedyMeds was started in 1997 by Richard J. Sagall, MD, a family physician, and Libby Overly, MSW, MEd, a medical social worker. Both realized there was a need for a centralized resource for information on pharmaceutical patient assistance programs. With the Internet becoming an important source of information, they decided that was the perfect medium for this ever-changing information.
Since then NeedyMeds has grown considerably. The website has become the premier source of information on all types of programs that assists those who can’t afford their medications or health care costs.
In order to better meet its goals, NeedyMeds became a 501(c)3 non-profit (Pennsylvania) corporation in June, 2003. In 2006, the business office moved from Philadelphia, PA, to Gloucester, MA becoming a Massachusetts corporation in 2011.
Since its inception, NeedyMeds’ goals are to:
- Provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on Patient Assistance Programs (PAPSs) and other programs that help those in need obtain their medications and medical care
- To provide the information at no cost
- Preserve users anonymity by not requiring any registration to use the website or any data input when accessing the information
- Assist those who have difficulty accessing the NeedyMeds’ information
- Educate healthcare professionals and consumers about the programs
The primary method of providing information is the NeedyMeds website (www.needymeds.org). The homepage currently receives over 16,000 unique visitors per workday, with the number peaking at over 17,000 some days. Most weekdays there are over 70,000 total page views.
Listen to Dr. Sagall and Mark here:
