"We are pleased to participate in events that promote the development of new drugs that will save women's lives," said Geri Barish, president of 1 in 9: Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition. "With over 40,000 women still dying of breast cancer every year, it is these new drugs that hold the promise to help eradicate breast cancer or at least relegate it to a chronic condition. These new drugs promise us something we breast cancer survivors need -- hope."

New York Biotechnology Association executive director Nathan Tinker noted that incredible progress is being made by America's biotechnology and pharmaceutical research companies in developing new and more effective treatments for the wide range of diseases that affect women. "Cooperation between the country's educational facilities, research hospitals, laboratories, and innovative biopharmaceutical companies has proven critical to this success," said Tinker.

"While scientists are making exciting progress in the search for new cures and treatments, these efforts are wasted if the medicines we develop aren't accessible to patients who need them," said PhRMA's Johnson.

Help is available to patients in need through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a program sponsored by America's pharmaceutical research companies. To date, the PPA has helped nearly six million patients nationwide. Since its launch in April 2005, the PPA bus tour has visited all 50 states and more than 3,000 cities to educate people about patient assistance programs.

The "Help is Here Express" is staffed by trained specialists able to quickly help uninsured and financially struggling patients access information on more than 475 patient assistance programs, including nearly 200 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. When the "Help is Here Express" moves on, patients can visit PPA's easy-to-use Web site (www.pparx) or call the toll-free phone number (1-888-4PPA-NOW).

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America