The bus tour is part of the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA), a nationwide effort sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies, raising awareness of patient assistance programs and the need to effectively address the rising and alarming rates of chronic disease. Patients also can learn about innovative new medicines in development to fight chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and asthma.

    To date, the PPA has helped nearly 5 million patients nationwide, including more than 63,000 people in Arizona. For more information, visit PPA’s easy-to-use Web site (www.pparx.org) or call 1-888-4PPA-NOW, where trained operators field calls in 150 languages.