OncologyRx Care Advantage(TM) Specialty Pharmacy Passes $15 Million Milestone in Patient Financial ...( THE WOODLANDS Texas July 9 /- We...)

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology, Inc. today announced that OncologyRx Care Advantage(TM), its national oral oncology specialty pharmacy service, has exceeded the $15 million mark and has assisted more than 3,300 patients in obtaining external support for drug co-pays since the launch of Care Advantage in August 2006.

"We are thrilled that we have been able to serve as a positive resource to help so many cancer patients obtain lifesaving treatments," says Diane Collom, associate director of the Business Office for OncologyRx Care Advantage. "Increasing numbers of patients either choose, or are forced, to go without treatment due to the high cost. Our service helps those patients stay on therapy by seeking funds to offset their cost."

In the last eight months, OncologyRx Care Advantage has helped more than 1,300 patients receive more than $5 million in financial assistance from charitable foundations. The US Oncology pharmacy announced it had reached the $10 million mark in November 2008.

Cancer imposes heavy economic burdens on patients and their families. For those with coverage, health insurance plans pay for a large portion of their medical expenses, "but with the high cost of oral therapies, co-pays can still remain high. Even people with health insurance find themselves in need of financial assistance while undergoing cancer care simply because of the high cost of care." says Collom.

With cancer on the rise, and a higher than usual unemployment rate, finding funds for cancer patients is more important today than ever before. OncologyRx Care Advantage works with various foundations to find co-pay assistance for cancer patients in need. This service helps to relieve the laborious process from community-based oncology prac
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