Pfizer incorporated says it will provide seventy of its most widely prescribed drugs for free to people who have lost their jobs and health insurance.

The world's biggest drugmaker said Thursday it will give away the medicines for up to a year to Americans who lost jobs since Jan. 1 and have been on the Pfizer drug for three months or more.

The announcement comes amid massive job losses caused by the recession and a campaign in Washington to rein in health care costs and extend coverage. The move could earn Pfizer some goodwill in that debate after long being a target of critics of drug industry prices and sales practices.

The program also likely will help keep those patients loyal to Pfizer brands.

Officials for New York-based Pfizer said they don't know how much the program will cost and haven't put a cap on spending for it.

Applicants will have to sign a statement that they are suffering financial hardship and provide a "pink slip" or similar employer notice. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 31, with medication provided for up to 12 months after approval - or until the person becomes insured again.

Patients can call a toll-free number, 866-706-2400, to sign up, and those whose drugs are not included in the program will be referred to other company aid programs. Starting July 1, patients can also apply through the Web site, www.PfizerHelpfulAnswers.com, which has information about the other Pfizer aid programs.

Here is Pfizer's list of drugs that it will provide free to people who've already been taking them for three months who lose jobs and health insurance:
Accupril
Accuretic
Aldactazide
Aldactone
Antivert
Arthrotec
Azulfidine EN-Tabs
Azulfidine
Caduet
Calan SR
Calan
Cardura
Cardura XL
Caverject
Celebrex
Celontin
Chantix
Cleocin HCL
Cleocin Pediatric
Cleocin Phosphate
Cleocin T
Colestid
Colestid Flavored Colestid
Cortef
Covera-HS
Cytotec
Daypro
Depo-Medrol
Depo-Provera
Depo-subQ Provera 104
Depo-Estriadol
Detrol
Detrol LA
Diflucan
Dilantin
Dilantin-125
Estring
Feldene
Flagyl
Geodon
Glucotrol
Glucotrol XL
Glynase PresTab
Glyset
Inspra
Lincocin
Lipitor
Lopid
Lyrica
Medrol
Mycobutin
Nardil
Navane
Neurontin
Nicotrol
Nitrostat
Norpace CR
Norpace
Norvasc
Ogen
Procardia XL
Procardia
Provera
Relpax
Synarel
Toviaz
Viagra
Vistaril
Xalatan
Zarontin
Zithromax
Zoloft

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Information from The Associated Press