• Some drugs/drug companies provide a co-pay card for those who have insurance coverage. It will provide a free or low cost per script.  CANNOT have Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare or other government assistance.  Patients present the co-pay card at the pharmacy with the prescription.  There is usually a telephone or on-line registration process.
• For those without insurance or (in some cases Medicaid pending) patients can get free drug.  There is usually an application process that includes providing some financial information; may require documentation; has a MD component.  Some drugs are sent directly to the physician for dispensing.  Sometimes the patient gets a card to take to the pharmacy. 
• Most “scheduled” drugs like narcotics and some psychiatric meds are not available.  But I always look and don’t assume.
• It is helpful to know both the brand and generic name of the med when looking it up
• Family Health Center has a social worker who assists family with this process
• Needymeds.org lists both free drug (patient assistance programs PAP) and co-pay cards.  Look under Patient Savings Tab.