This week, a news reporter, Alex Smith from KRUC shared our story neutrally along with his investigation about mail order pharmacy and temperatures. Keep in mind this is just one of the hundreds of issues with mail order pharmacy.
As many are forced to use mail order pharmacy, room temperature medications including delicate medications like children's liquid medications are being shipped in only a bag far outside of the suggested temperature ranges tested and proven safe.
In the article, we learn two different facts. One, it is possible that our son's medications could have been affected by the triple-digit weather which could have resulted in his life being taken away. Two, the reason why these risks are taken is that more temperature monitoring would drive up the cost of MAIL ORDER PHARMACY (Smith, 2018).
The easiest simple solution to both would be to give patients equal options and coverage for their pharmacist. The pharmacy that patients trust. This eliminates over 100 risks that patients must take with forced mail order pharmacy. It's past time for trucks that handle medications to be temperature controlled and our medications monitored.
Unfortunately, for many, this option is currently nonexistent due to our Insurance's pharmacy benefit's manager (PBM) who now owns their own mail-order pharmacies and retail pharmacy. There is about an 80% chance your pharmacy benefits manager is Optum RX, Express Scripts, or CVS Caremark (owned by the same company that owns CVS mail order & retail). Although a recent report done by consumer reports states that most patients would prefer independent pharmacies, these companies are highly steering customers away by removing independent and hospital pharmacies from their networks creating a very unfair playing field (Gill, 2018).
Also, a recent US Government report states that mail order pharmacy may not save money at all but actually cost more. Find the link below to the study (Part D Claims, n.d.).
I advocate for options. I need your help. My son's life, as well as the life of millions of others, rely on medications. I come across people every single day who have had their lives risked due to forced mail order. Please share your issues. Please share the petition.
Thank you.
Loretta Boesing
Link to the original Petition: https://www.change.org/p/attn-all-legistlatures-state-board-of-pharmacies-ban-mail-order-drug-mandates-from-all-health-insurance-plans-monitor
Share Your Stories and Issues by:
Email: stopmandatorymailorderpharmacy@yahoo.com
Twitter: @BoesingLoretta
Facebook Page:
Issues With Mail Order Pharmacy @justamomwholovesherson
Sources:
Gill, Lisa L. “Consumers Still Prefer Independent Pharmacies, CR's Ratings Show.” Product Reviews and Ratings - Consumer Reports, 7 Dec. 2018, www.consumerreports.org/pharmacies/consumers-still-prefer-independent-pharmacies-consumer-reports-ratings-show/
Smith, Alex. “After Her Son Nearly Rejects Transplanted Liver, Missouri Woman Campaigns Against Mail-Order Drugs.” KCUR, 19 Dec. 2018, www.kcur.org/post/after-her-son-nearly-rejects-transplanted-liver-missouri-woman-campaigns-against-mail-order?fbclid=IwAR3QXBlxmC-tAH0XFz0NsjwPa1FfYWpo-53vUbDPhGOl92srEI-C1cuFQlg#stream/0
Part D Claims Analysis: Negotiated Pricing Between General Mail Order and Retail Pharmacies. www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/Downloads/Negotiated-Pricing-Between-General-Mail-Order-and-Retail-PharmaciesDec92013.pdf