NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Hundreds of thousands of uninsured people all across Tennessee will now be able to get the critical medications they need, thanks to a new program.

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Tennessee Commissioner of Health Susan R. Cooper knows there are plenty of people in the state struggling to buy the medications they need.

But a pioneer program, a partnership between Nashville's non-profit group Dispensary of Hope and three major drug companies, could be the answer for those without insurance.

"In this new partnership with Merck, AstraZeneca and Novartis, we now have a formulary of 46 high-demand medications," said CEO of Dispensary of Hope Jason Dinger.

This continued access program will provide medications to treat ailments like hypertension, gastrointestinal problems and mental health issues. Drugs like these can easily cost many patients $1,000 a year.

"In our program, the patient pays a $30 enrollment fee, which covers our internal costs of filling the prescription and enrolling in the program. But then they get unlimited access to our formulary, so there are no additional costs after that for the patient," said Dinger.

To qualify, the patient must meet certain income guidelines. Typically, that means the applicant must earn $21,000 a year or less for a single person, or $40,000 or less for a family of four.

The patient must also be a Tennessee resident and must not receive prescription drug coverage.

"If we can avert a heart attack, if we can avert an amputation from diabetes, this is money well spent," said Cooper.

The pioneer program could directly benefit as many as 800,000 Tennesseans.

Read the Dispensary of Hope application to learn more about the program and qualifications.

Related Link:

• Dispensary of Hope Web site