The “Help is Here Express” bus tour will be stopping today in Lawrence to help uninsured and low-income Kansans access information on programs that provide prescription medicines for free or at a reduced price.

Patients who visit the bus also can learn about new medicines in development to fight chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and asthma.

The bus will be at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt., from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The tour is part of Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a nationwide effort sponsored by America’s pharmaceutical research companies, to raise awareness of patient assistance programs.

The bus is staffed by trained specialists who are able to help uninsured patients access information on more than 475 patient assistance programs, including nearly 200 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.

So far, Partnership for Prescription Assistance has helped more than 5.7 million patients, including more than 60,000 Kansans.