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PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360

For Release:
January 3, 2013

Mary E. O'Dowd, M.P.H.
Commissioner

For Further Information Contact:
Office of Communications
(609) 984-7160

Christie Administration Encourages New Jersey Residents to Use Prescription Medicine Program ( En Español )

New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd has requested and received an extension of the federal Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), a free program that allows uninsured New Jersey residents affected by Hurricane Sandy to get prescription medicine refilled.

Individuals can get a one-time 30-day refill of prescription medicine at participating pharmacies. Commissioner O'Dowd has requested and received an extension for EPAP from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through January 31, 2013.

"As New Jersey residents continue the recovery process, many families and individuals are still in temporary housing and may not have the means to get needed prescription medication refills for both acute and chronic medical conditions," said Commissioner O'Dowd. "I encourage residents eligible for this service to take advantage of this program."

The EPAP provides access, at any enrolled pharmacy, to necessary prescription drugs and limited durable medical equipment for individuals in a federally-identified disaster area and without health insurance.

According to HHS, most large pharmacies have already pre-registered and many smaller pharmacies have pre-registered with EPAP.

Individuals must demonstrate New Jersey residency with a driver's license, state issued identification card, current lease, utility bill, or other credible documents of residency.

To find out pharmacies currently enrolled, call the EPAP Help Line at 1-866-935-4135 or visit https://www.scriptcare.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.epapProviderSearch

For more information on who is eligible for EPAP, visit http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/epap/Pages/dai.aspx.

Pharmacies who may still wish to enroll in the program should visit http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/epap/Pages/pharmacies.aspx.

New Jersey also offers other resources for residents recovering from Hurricane Sandy. The Department of Health has public health experts available through the state's 2-1-1 system to answer questions about mold removal and flood cleanup to assist New Jersey residents as they continue to clean up their homes and businesses after the storm. The 2-1-1 human services hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Last Reviewed: 1/8/2013