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(Author's note: Wow! I wrote this one
way before the 2000 elections and there is still no resolution to the high cost
of medication. As the 2004 presidential election looms ever closer, this might
be the time to stand up and be counted, or, if you can't afford the meds, you'll
be gone anyway!) gap
WHAT PRICE MEDICATION?
This has been an awful year for the flu. I'll blame that on El Nino, too. I have
had two lengthy go-rounds and needed two healthy doses of antibiotics to wrest
the bugs out of my system. Now, I suspect my nasal discontent stems from
allergies. All in all, it looks like just the beginning of another terrible year
for those of us who are dysfunctional breathers .
Heavier rains than usual coupled with warmer weather seem to have everything
blooming early- another El Nino residual, for sure. I guess I could try the new
medication the nice doctor prescribed for me for about 30 days, or buy a new
Lexus. The cost should be about the same.
I am concerned about the cost of health care. I have a simple solution for those
who are in HMOs they hate, are un or under-insured, or just care about the cost
of current healthcare in America. There can be universal healthcare when the
rest of us simple folk have the same options (and pay the same price) as offered
to members of Congress. Now that's a health plan.
Okay, I'm a dreamer. It is no joke, however, when people, be they seniors, or
those who simply don't have the money, have to choose between paying their rent
or taking their medications. The equation is further exacerbated when the
temperature in the Coachella Valley is 120. Then the choices are expanded to
pick one: rent, pharmacy or air conditioning.
I overheard the following conversation the pharmacy the other day. An elderly
gentleman choked back his visible pain as he looked at the price of a
prescription he had just had filled. "That comes out to over $7 a pill,
" he moaned. The young pharmacy tech, while emotionally moved, said
nothing.
The man said to no one in particular, "Call my doctor and get me something
cheaper, or I just can't afford to take the medication." I had been waiting
for my medication to be filled, so I chose to wait to hear the outcome of the
man's dilemma.
Moments later, the elderly gentleman paid for his prescription. The total number
of pills was 36, the cost for the generic medication, about $30. Now that's a
long way from the original order that would have set him back $252! I hope it
wasn't his heart medication that he almost opted not to take- certainly after
the sticker shock, he would have needed it.
Some doctors are nice and have the luxury of giving their patients sample meds
to see if they work. Other folks have pharmacy included in their medical
insurance. which makes whatever they take cost effective. Seniors with Medicare
pay full price, as to those who are uninsured. Depending upon the medical need,
pharmaceuticals can run many hundreds of dollars per month.
The scary part is when your doctor, physician's assistant, secretary, or anyone
connected with the process of prescribing medication has no idea how much it
costs! There's something wrong here!
Next time you are told to get a prescription filled, ask the doctor if he/she
knows what it costs? My bet is, they won't know. They should. Somebody once said
to me, "If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it."
That may be socially correct if you are talking about optional jewelry. I don't
think the same criteria should apply for medication.
It's just not enough for prescribers of medicines to only know the name and
dosage required. They should know the interaction of other drugs the patient is
taking as well as the financial implications to the patient. That's what
computers are for. They keep track of billing.
An individual profile can easily be created which would include the patients:
allergies, medications, potential chemical interactions and most important, the
cost of the pills.
If your hairdresser can keep your hair color on file, your doctor's office can
do the same for your medications.
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(Note: If you are a senior citizen; if you are uninsured; if you hate paying
the high cost of medications, please vote for the candidate of your choice in
the November 7,2000 election.) If you don't vote, you get what you deserve...
you just might anyway!)
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