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| photo from lab.express-scripts.com |
I recently went to our CVS to pick up the Pulmicort Respules that our Pediatrician called in. We have a new insurance carrier and I almost choked when the price was $ 600.00!!! I asked the Pharmacist if he ran it through our insurance? He did run it through insurance and that was the cost. No mistake! I walked away wondering, what do families do who cannot afford their prescriptions? Do they have to go home to their child who is in a flare without the medicine they need, which is a one way ticket to the Emergency Room? Do they have to choose between getting the prescription or buying groceries or paying rent?
During a visit to our Pediatrician's office, it was confirmed to me that parents are often making these choices & children are not taking the control medicines they need. It truly breaks my heart that a child's access to control meds is directly related to the family's pocketbook.
According to 'The Harvard Medical School Guide to Taking Control of Asthma' "One of the greatest challenges facing modern asthma care is achieving an equitable distribution of the available asthma therapies to people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, regardless of socioeconomic status."
In fact, according to the CDC, "asthma costs the US about $3,300 per person with asthma each year from 2002-2007 in medical expenses." Having 3 children with asthma, trust me, it costs a mini fortune.
I wish I had millions of dollars to help carry these families but I don't. But what I can do is point them in the right direction! A great place to start educating yourself on Prescription Assistance is www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug and www.togetherrxaccess.com. The last day to enroll in Together Rx Access is December 31, 2013. You can always talk to your local Pharmacist regarding Prescription Assistance as well as your Doctor. Always let your Doctor know if you are not taking you asthma control meds!
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