NEW YORK — The recession might be a little less painful for some Americans, who won't lose their prescription medications if they lose their jobs.

Pfizer Inc. said yesterday it will give away more than 70 of its most widely prescribed drugs, including Lipitor and Viagra, for up to a year to people who have lost jobs since Jan. 1 and have been taking the drug for three months or more.

The announcement comes as the unemployment rate topped 8.9 percent in April.

Pfizer stands to benefit, too — by keeping its customers, and with a tax write-off that will cover much of the cost of the donations. The move also buys the world's largest drugmaker some good will as Washington looks to overhaul the healthcare system.

"Everybody knows now a neighbor, a relative who has lost their job and is losing their insurance. People are definitely hurting out there," said Dr. Jorge Puente, Pfizer's head of pharmaceuticals outside the U.S. and Europe.

UNITED ADDS EXTRA $5 BAGGAGE FEE

CHICAGO — United Airlines is adding an extra $5 charge for travelers who pay their baggage fee at the airport instead of online.

The move matches a change announced by US Airways last month.

Travelers have generally paid $15 to check their first bag on United and $25 for the second bag. But for tickets bought after yesterday for travel beginning June 10, they'll pay $5 more to settle those charges at the airport rather than on United's Web site.

INSURERS APPROVED FOR BAILOUT MONEY

LOS ANGELES — Insurers including The Hartford Financial, Prudential Financial Inc. and Lincoln National Corp. have received preliminary approval to get billions of dollars from the government's financial industry rescue program.

A Treasury Department spokesman confirmed yesterday that Ameriprise Financial Inc. and Principal Financial Group Inc. also are among insurers receiving preliminary investment approval. He would not disclose the amount of investment each company will receive.