LONDON — Demand for free medicines in the US has increased sharply following the 2008 economic crisis, highlighting continued difficulties by Americans in gaining access to medical care. Millions have lost their medical benefits along with their jobs in the downturn, underscoring the challenge for President Barack Obama in overhauling healthcare after signing reforms into law last month. Organisations helping people find free drugs have reported increases of up to 50 per cent in requests in recent months, while pharmaceutical companies say they have expanded donations through ‘patient assistance programmes by typically 15 to 25 per cent. Rich Sagall, who created NeedyMeds.org, a phone and web-based clearing house near Boston helping patients find free medicines, says he is receiving 14,000 inquiries a day, up from 10,000 in late 2008. ‘We’re exceedingly busy. I’m upset that this many people need access. There’s definitely more need and more queries. US pharmaceutical companies provide some medicines free to many poorer Americans through ‘patient assistance programmes. Since launching its Partnership for Prescription Assistance to co-ordinate these programmes in 2005, PhRMA, the pharmaceutical industry trade association, says it has provided 6m patients with $16bn (€11.8bn, £10.5bn) of drugs valued at wholesale prices, […]