Many may recall a couple of years ago when a USPS Worker cooked steaks in her vehicle. This week, a worker died from the same temperatures. My heart is heavy as most medications nationwide will be shipped in only bags in these same extreme temperatures. Many will not realize that medications can degrade in harmful ways beyond potency. Even if potency is not effected, medicines stored in extreme temperatures of 120-170 °F can also create toxic substances or increase carcinogens.
The lack of temperature control and harmful delays means that no one should be left with mail order pharmacies as the only option for coverage or affordable coverage.
When I spoke in Oklahoma to support the nation's first true regulations to ensure proper storage of medications, I was shocked that the president of the Rural Letter Carriers Association for the State of Oklahoma came to speak against providing the temperature regulation of medications shipped by mail. I expected the mail order pharmacies to show, but why wouldn't USPS want to ensure the safety of medications shipped by mail as patients and parents of children with chronic conditions are forced to mail order?
The answer is what it always comes down to. Money. First, please know that USPS has previously had Board members from Cigna on their board which Cigna has merged with Express Scripts. Corporations want the money without having to protect the many lives they hold in their hands. Also, ensuring proper temperature regulation may help push the delivery services to air condition their trucks. In the case of UPS, it's the back of the trucks that these workers have desperately begged UPS to temperature control. My delivery driver stated that it was so hot that he could not breathe as he walked through the door to the back. He says that the door to the package area must be closed unless they are getting a package.
I urge you today or through the summer months, when you first get into your hot car parked in the sun, and it's so hot that it's hard to breathe when you first enter, think about the workers and patients like my son who have been forced to mail order pharmacies. Patients are forced to store their medications in only a bag in these extreme temperatures as the only coverage option as State Boards of Pharmacy, and the FDA fail to regulate.
Mail order pharmacists have been trained to lie about the safety of these medications shipped by mail, so I urge patients to take detailed notes of every conversation if they question the temperatures. File complaints with your State Board of Pharmacy if even your room-temperature medications are stored in only a bag without protection. If the Boards filled with many mail order pharmacy affiliates refuse to take your complaint seriously, take their name. Let them know that you will inform Loretta Boesing and email me.
If you're a mail order pharmacist or tech, please consider becoming a whistleblower or sharing your knowledge. I can keep your name anonymous to the public if needed.
Know that we need your voice and your help to change this. Your voice can be the one they'll listen to. Please join us or consider donating to support our cause. We will have monthly calls to discuss how you can get more involved with your State Boards of Pharmacy and help us push forward change and regulations.
Currently, most of those most active on our team are caregivers of patients or patients fighting chronic conditions. It doesn't seem fair as we fight against the wealthiest corporations in our nation. We need more support. Your voice is what we need the most. It's an uphill fight, but I have hope today because of Change.org and every supporter.
With much love and appreciation for our supporters,
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate
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Share your story: Loretta@uniteforsafemeds.com