Dear Supporters,
We love and appreciate you. I hope everyone has enjoyed their much-deserved time with friends and families. Our hearts go out to those who are struggling or facing any difficulties during this holiday season. We express gratitude to the many healthcare and service workers who continue working throughout this holiday season.
For me, the work for 2024 is beginning tonight. I hope for a running start to this upcoming year. That running start can happen with voices such as yours!
We faced another holiday season with multiple headlines of patients forced to mail order pharmacies and patients going weeks without medications due to the lack of regulation of mail order pharmacies on issues such as delays and temperature storage.
Boards of pharmacy have a duty to the public to ensure safe medication and pharmacy access. They are failing us. Affiliates of the billion-dollar corporate pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers that are the greatest offenders make up many of the Board members across the US. We understand what we're up against, but believe with all of our hearts that what is right will prevail. Protection and justice will be granted.
Change, justice, and protection will come with one of the greatest gifts that can be given which is your voice. Can you spare two minutes on January 11th? If written comment is also allowed, I will provide the link in future updates.
They do not have the agenda posted yet, which is a disadvantage to the public. I was made aware by the kindness of the Executive Director of the Board. Some Boards do not post agendas until the day prior.
Can we count on you to attend virtually or in person? I plan on attending in person. Virtual attendance or attendance by webinar is an option. The Board is only allowing two minutes to speak, so I will not be able to say what I need to or tell them of the harm done as they continue to delay meaningful protection of the patients' lives that they hold in their hands. The new regulation proposed by the Board will ensure only tracking information is provided, but not temperature tracking. Only physical tracking of the location will be required, but timely delivery is still not being mandated or required. This new regulation will do nothing to protect medications from extreme temperatures. Express Scripts is headquartered in my state and has a member on the Board. There are many other conflicts of interest as well.
Speaking to legislators about these issues and filing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaints can also help.
Please help us. If you plan on attending or have additional suggestions on how we can more successfully unite for change in 2024, please share them.
My email is Loretta@UniteForSafeMeds.Com
Thank you,
Loretta Boesing, Patient Advocate
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