Pacific PharmAssistance

Brand Name VS Generic Name | Can you spot the difference?

Brand name: Lipitor
- Drug class: HMG-CoA resucitase inhibitor (statin)
- Used to lower LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and raise HDL cholesterol
- Drug Cost: $1701

Generic name: Atorvastatin
- Drug class: HMG-CoA resucitase inhibitor (statin)
- Used to lower LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and raise HDL cholesterol
- Drug Cost: $104

Answer: both Lipitor and Atorvastatin are used to lower LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and raise HDL cholesterol. However, Atorvastatin (generic) costs significantly less!

Introducing one of our Project Managers: Adrienne Kim!

Why did you join PPA?
I joined PPA because I loved what the committee stood for and their goals. I think it’s so important to help patients with any financial burden that may be played upon them so that they can receive the best medical care available to them.

Fun Fact:
I am allergic to amoxicillin.

What drug would you be and why?
Azithromycin because it makes you feel better in no time :-)

Introducing our P1 Co-Chair: Mia Garcia!

Why did you join PPA?
I joined PPA because I wanted to be able to give back to the community I grew up in by helping people lower the cost of their medication.

Fun Fact:
I’ve played the flute for 10 years and water polo for 12 years.

What drug would you be and why?
If I were a drug I’d probably be alprazolam because my friends always say I help lower their anxiety by just being with them and listening to them :)

Generic and brand-name drugs might look different. They vary in their size, shape, and color, but they work the same. All brand and generic medications go through evaluations by the FDA to prove their efficacy and safety before they launch into the market. On average, generic drugs cost 85% less than the brand-name version, which makes generic drugs more accessible to all.

Source: GoodRx

To start off with the new members of PPA 21-22, we are introducing one of our P1 Co-Chairs, Nghi Nguyen!

Why did you join PPA?

I joined PPA because I want to help patients afford their medications. I do not think the costs should be a barrier to adherence and a financial burden to low-income families.

Fun Fact?

I stress shop almost every week.

What drug would you be and why?

Caffeine because I help you through the day and keep you up at night.

Hello there! PPA is back this year with new members and to continue our mission to reduce the financial burden of medication treatments! Please check out the post to see all the services we offer and for our contact information!
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Who are we?
Pacific PharmAssistance is an innovative, service based advocacy committee founded in 2012 at the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy. Our goal is to help patients obtain their medications at more affordable prices by acting as a resource to connect patients to discounts, coupons, and Patient Assistance Programs to lessen the financial burden. We offer one on one consultations both virtually and in person at Medicare Health Fairs.