Please read this excellent report by Adiel Kaplan at NBC.
Many forced to mail order pharmacy do not know that the temperatures of mail order pharmacy are not regulated. Some, like myself, have figured it out the hard way after medications arrive as less effective, capsules melted, or some received frozen ineffective injectables like insulin.
After students from Southwestern Oklahoma State University performed a study showing that 80% of medications shipped by mail are not stored in the safe temperature guidelines per FDA standards, I was invited to speak at the National Association of Board of Pharmacy Meeting in Oklahoma a couple of months ago. I shared my son's story. At the time, I had almost lost all faith in the Boards of Pharmacy. I have more hope today.
Oklahoma may be the first in the nation to regulate temperatures. One Board Member states this will cause "ripples" across the nation. The problem would be that temperatures are regulated state by state. Getting this protection in every state could take a lifetime as patients are forced to mail order. With help from our supporters and those who showed up to Oklahoma's Temperature Committee to make this happen, I know we will make the necessary progress.
At this time, this is still breaking news and a monumental step forward.
Please know that medications can not only lose potency, but chemical changes can cause some room-temperature medications to become so toxic that they can cause cancer. Patients are not warned or told the truth. Consumer protection and justice are lacking.
Let me be clear that this movement did not happen because of me but because of us, all who've supported and sacrificed time, including the slightest minute.
I appreciate the support of everyone who signed this petition, the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy, the Southwestern Oklahoma State University students, United States Pharmacopeia (USP), Adiel Kaplan at NBC for reporting, and the many who were part of the temperature committee in Oklahoma.
Together, lives will be saved. Fewer children and patients like my son will be harmed as they are forced to the insurance companies owned mail order pharmacies.
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate