A friend of mine has been disabled for some time and is considering early retirement at age 62. One of her concerns, given multiple health problems, is the cost of prescription drugs. I told her not to worry. If she has enough patience to do some investigation, she could probably qualify for some programs at little or no cost.

In addition to Medicare Part D, there are many prescription drug programs available. Some are called “discount programs,” which offer reductions in cost. Many pharmacies and other stores offer these. Some manufacturers of drugs have programs for free prescription drugs, depending on income and other qualifiers. Maine has a couple of programs available.

The difficult thing is that each of the programs has a different set of criteria to be met, and this often is so confusing and discouraging to applicants, that they may give up. I’ve known this to happen. It takes a lot of patience and some expertise, to wade through all of the eligibility standards.

Personally, I would advise anyone who is considering early retirement and needs to find prescription drug coverage, to contact Southern Maine Agency on Aging and get some help from them. They aren’t going to charge you for their help and they’ve got more experience dealing with these issues.

I spent a few hours on the Internet, checking the various Web sites for Maine’s programs, as well as a couple of manufacturers of common drugs. I caution the reader that this information may not be up to date and before you go any further, be sure to check with the various manufacturers and/or the state of Maine to get the latest data. At the state level, call the Bureau of Elderly Services or contact your legislator, who can steer you to the correct department.

All the big drug manufacturers have tons of information available on the Internet and they offer to mail forms if you’re interested in learning more about their programs.

Lipitor is one of the most common prescription drugs used. The manufacturer, Pfizer, offers a couple of programs for those who either have no insurance or need some help paying for this drug (and others Pfizer makes). If you have no insurance, and your annual income was $9,600 and you were born in 1945, for example, you would qualify for free Lipitor medication, through your doctor’s office, under Pfizer’s Connection to Care program.

Glaxco-Smith-Kline, another manufacturer, offers free medicine if a person has no drug insurance and the monthly income is no more than $1,635 per individual, among other criteria.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance has been advertising on television a great deal lately. PPA is a company that provides assistance to people in helping them find out what’s available. In checking for Lipitor, for example, I was given the state of Maine programs as well as Pfizer’s Web site to check out.

Maine Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled had the following criteria posted on its Web site. I’m not sure if this program is still viable but if you are over 62, living alone and making no more than $1,476 a month, you would qualify (2005 data.)

Maine Rx Plus, another program for any age, offers assistance if your income is no more than $2,791 a month.

Also promoted on the state Web site is a program administered through Maine Department of Human Services called Healthy Maine Prescription program. Information states that you could save up to 25 percent on prescription drugs at participating Maine pharmacies if your individual gross monthly income for one person was $2,148.

It’s easy to see why people get confused. If I didn’t already have my program in place, I would have no idea where to start. First of all, I’ve learned you can’t depend on the Internet, because many of the Web sites that provide information for consumers are out of date. So, in the end, you have to call these agencies or companies. You need to have all of your information current as to income, names and dosages of prescriptions and be sure to have plenty of time for the phone calls.

If I were taking a prescription drug for which there were no generic available, and my income was going to be in the $20,000 a year range or below, I’d definitely contact the manufacturer. From the few I’ve checked, they all seem to have a good program in place to help people, and their income range seems to be higher than what I suspect many Maine elders will be receiving.

Other than that, I suggest you call Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 396-6500, or visit the Scarborough office.