Grifols Launches PatientCare Program to Address Insurance Lapses for Hemophilia Community

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Grifols, Inc. today announced that it has established the PatientCare Program to provide therapy at no cost to eligible members of the hemophilia community when insurance coverage is not available. The PatientCare Program consists of Grifols Assurance for Patients (GAP), which provides therapy for users of Grifols' products during a lapse in insurance coverage, and Grifols Patient Assistance (GPA), which provides therapy for individuals in need of temporary assistance. Grifols therapies used to treat both Hemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency) and Hemophilia B (Factor IX deficiency) are covered under the PatientCare Program.

As part of the PatientCare Program, Grifols PatientCare representatives will offer assistance evaluating alternative coverage options. "Grifols recognizes the incredible challenges the hemophilia community faces in obtaining and maintaining adequate health insurance," said Gregory Rich, CEO of the Company's US operations. "The PatientCare Program demonstrates our commitment to the hemophilia community and helping those in need," said Mr. Rich.

Unlike other programs, the Grifols PatientCare Program does not require collecting coupons or counting doses. "Ease of use was one of our primary goals in creating the program," said Linda Osorio, one of the architects of the program and a Grifols PatientCare representative. "When faced with a lapse in insurance, or in need of temporary assistance, the last thing someone wants to deal with is additional and unnecessary paperwork," Ms. Osorio said. Eligible patients can enroll in the program at any time.

To take advantage of the program, a few simple forms must be completed and sent to a Grifols PatientCare representative for verification. The GAP program is open to anyone who has used a Grifols' hemophilia product for the three months prior to enrolling. The Patient Assistance program is open to anyone without insurance who is in need of temporary assistance regardless of whether they have previously used a Grifols therapy. Applicants of the GPA program must meet financial eligibility requirements and both programs require certain insurance ineligibility.

Under the PatientCare Program, enrollees are eligible for up to 100,000 IU of therapy. If a lapse in insurance coverage is anticipated, the eligibility forms should be completed ahead of time. Additional information about the PatientCare Program as well as enrollment and application forms and can be found on the web at: http://www.grifolspatientcare.com/.

About Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a genetic bleeding disorder that prevents the blood from clotting normally. The main symptom is uncontrolled, often spontaneous bleeding. Internal bleeding into the joints can result in pain, swelling and, if left untreated, can cause permanent damage. There are approximately 20,000 diagnosed hemophiliacs in the United States today. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 4% of individuals with hemophilia are uninsured. Each year many individuals with hemophilia lose their existing insurance and must seek new coverage.

About Grifols

Grifols has been present in healthcare since 1940, creating innovative products and services based on the values of ethics and responsibility. Grifols' activities focus on fulfilling the needs of healthcare professionals working in therapeutics, pharmacy, diagnostics and blood banking. For more than 60 years, Grifols has developed, manufactured and marketed products designed to improve human health. The Company manufactures products of proven efficacy, quality and safety. More information about Grifols can be found at http://www.grifols.com/ or contact:

  Christopher Healey
  Vice President, Government and Public Affairs
  2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700
  Arlington, Virginia 22201
  (703) 351-5004 phone
  (703) 276-9052 fax
  chris.healey@grifols.com