David Serrano, of Wahiawa, has had to deal with congestive heart failure and other health problems recently, but was able to save more than $10,000 on prescription drug costs in the past two years thanks to a national program that helps people get cheap or free medicine.

Serrano, 45, and his family were among more than 300 people at a free health fair outside the Honolulu Zoo yesterday to learn more about the Partnership for Prescription Assistance.

Speakers included talk-show host and Partnership spokes-man Montel Williams and Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.

The partnership does not provide medicine but is an information clearinghouse that puts people in touch with more than 475 government and private programs that offer free or discounted medicine.

More than 2,500 prescription drugs are available through the partnership, which has helped more than 6,000 people in Hawai'i and 4 million nationwide since it began in April 2005. It is based in Washington, D.C.

"I am also a patient," said Williams, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

Williams talked about his experience living with MS during the 30-minute presentation and said he spends about $2,500 a month on medication. During a news conference that followed, Williams took a 15-minute break to "cool down" in his trailer because the heat may have triggered some MS symptoms, program spokeswoman Cynthia Moore said.

An estimated 115,000 Hawai'i residents do not have health insurance coverage, said Ken Johnson, spokesman for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

The Serranos are among them. David Serrano left his job as bank technician two years ago after doctors diagnosed him with kidney failure, anemia and diabetes.

"The costs just really add up," he said.

"It was hard for us, because my wife also didn't have medical coverage after I stopped working."

This is Williams' first trip to Hawai'i to speak with people here about the partnership. A bus named the "Help Is Here Hawaiian Express" served as a traveling center last year, stopping at 24 sites on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island.