CPhA Applauds Efforts To Help Seniors Afford Prescription Medications

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 25 Jun 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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Congressional leaders and leading pharmaceutical companies have come up with a plan to reduce medication costs for millions of senior citizens enrolled in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug program. In combination with other discount programs and rebates, the savings to the U.S. government could represent $80 billion. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is leading the charge to specifically close the coverage gap for patients whose medications costs fall into the "doughnut hole."

Seniors prescription medication costs fall into the "doughnut hole" (above $2,700 but lower than $6,153.75 per year) and then they must pay out of pocket for their prescriptions. Affordability and adherence to medication become serious issues that can compromise their care when this occurs. "This announcement could not have come at a better time," states Lynn Rolston, Chief Executive Officer of the California Pharmacists Association. "In order to maintain patients' health and keep health care costs down, it is critical for patients to adhere to their medication therapies."

"Under the proposed plan, pharmaceutical companies will provide a 50 percent discount to most beneficiaries on brand-name medicines covered by a patient's Part D plan when purchased in the coverage gap," states PhRMA President and CEO Billy Tauzin. "In addition, the entire negotiated price of the Part D covered medicine purchased in the coverage gap would count toward the beneficiary's out-of-pocket costs, thus lowering their total out-of-pocket spending. Importantly, the proposal would not require any additional paperwork on the part of the beneficiary nor would an asset test be used for eligibility."

As this program rolls out, CPhA will be monitoring the implementation plans and providing assistance where appropriate to ensure that patients get the full intended value. It will be critical that pharmacists are treated fairly and given enough information to administer this program smoothly. For now, the news seems very positive and pharmacists stand ready to support this effort.

Source
California Pharmacists Association

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