Mail order pharmacy temperatures remain unregulated nationwide as many patients and parents of children are forced to put life-saving medications in only a bag without protection from 120-170 degree mailboxes. This is one of the worst injustices in our nation. It is the same child abuse as if I would put my son's medications in only a bag in these temperatures, knowing his life would be at risk. Corporations shouldn't get by this.
Many patients state that they don't want to be forced to put their medications in these unsafe temperatures, but insurance companies that force them to their own pharmacies have been able to get by with this.
Patients are deceived and told that their medications "should be safe" as they are shipped in only a bag. Some are lied to and told that the mail order pharmacies are tracking the temperatures. Most are not. There isn't a temperature sensor on the bag. Some are told the testing is done, but for many medications that are left in 120-170 degree mailboxes and trucks, additional testing is not required or done. It is not safe, and no one should be forced to take these risks as the only option for coverage.
When I questioned the temperatures of my son's liquid oral transplant meds shipped in only a bag on a 102-degree day, I didn't just accept that they "should be safe." I uncovered a lot of responses that didn't add up. I was told, "We cannot control UPS." "We will wrap the medication in extra bubble wrap." "We can ship them to the local CVS, but the medication will be shipped the same way." "You can drive 270 miles one way to keep them out of these conditions." Finally, I was told the truth. It is left unregulated.
The mail order pharmacies have lied to many patients by claiming even room temperature medications are safe when many drug manufacturers would say to discard meds exposed to temperatures of over 120-170 degrees or even freezing temperatures. The mail order pharmacies don't know the exact temperatures that medications are reaching as there isn't a sensor on the package to alert the temperatures that medications are exposed to. They won't use one, because they know that most would warn patients that their medications could have broken down, become harmful, less potent, or both.
This is why I ask today for your help. Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arizona State Boards of Pharmacy are finally discussing temperature issues, and we need your support by sharing your story or showing up.
I keep hoping for the person with the platform, the money, or the time to help us. We have gained a lot of support from pharmacists, but many cannot talk due to fear of retaliation. Even pharmacists not working for mail order are reimbursed mainly by Express Scripts, Optum RX, or CVS Caremark, which are pharmacy benefit managers that have merged with insurance companies and mail order pharmacies. In the meantime, with the small handful of brave ordinary everyday people like you, we will keep trying to save lives and protect patients like my son from harm. Change is happening but slowly as we fight against the wealthiest corporations in our nation.
Please message me or sign up here if you are willing to help.
You may also help by donating to support our advocacy.
Thank you for your support,
Loretta Boesing
loretta@uniteforsafemedications.com