7 On Your Side helps man get his medication back

WOODSTOCK, New York (WABC) -- It's hard enough for anyone to deal with debilitating arthritis. But Jim Rice really needs his fingers to work.

For years, his craft has been capturing photos of musical legends at the Levon Helms studio in Woodstock, New York.

When Rice was first diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis, he started losing feeling in his hands.

"I went to see a rheumatologist and she prescribed this Otezla. It's very expensive," Rice said.

Luckily, because of his income, Rice qualified for the Drug Manufacturers Assistance Program, which supplied the drug for free. He just has to fill out an application every year.

The problem was, when Rice applied earlier this year, a mistake on his tax return put his earnings over the benefit threshold, disqualifying him from the program. In short, he made too much money. So, his request for coverage was denied. Rice corrected the error, but he still didn't get the meds he desperately needed.

"I called the pharmacy, they transfer me, and they never get back to me," Rice said.

Despite his appeals, including his doctors and a patient advocate, Rice still couldn't resolve the mix-up. On a fixed income, there's no way he could afford the full price - $60,000 a year.

"At that point I contacted ABC because I see you on television all the time and you help people all the time and I didn't know where else to turn," Rice said.

By the time Rice reached out to 7 On Your Side, he had less than a two-week supply left on his medication.

7 On Your Side reached out to Amgen's Safety Net Foundation in California. By the end of the day, he had a new supply on its way, overnight.

"They were just very apologetic, I couldn't believe how much they were apologizing," he said.

Rice got a three-month supply, worth $15,000, in advance and was approved for the entire year.

In an official statement to 7 On Your Side, Amgen said, "Since 2001, the Safety Net Foundation has helped thousands of patients with financial need gain access to their medicines at no cost. ASNF has connected with Mr. Rice and solved this matter."

Standing on his porch, Rice hugged Nina Pineda in appreciation.

"I've seen you help other people for years, I can't believe I was one of those people who called, 7 On Your Side did wonders for me," Rice said.

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