My blood pressure meds from a Canadian pharmacy are less than $1.00 per tablet. My pharmacist said no generic was available in the US and the Diovan would be $287.80 for a 60-day supply. Medical insurance is outrageous because it supplements the AMA and pharmacy lobbies. Frederick

Unaffordable medicine can have dangerous consequences

posted Wed, 28 Sep 2011

New research from Consumer Reports further illustrates what we’ve known all along: when people can’t afford their needed medicine they are more apt to take risks with their health.

When times are tough, people have to skimp and save. It’s only common sense that this would extend to health care. Nearly half of those surveyed admitted postponing doctor’s visits, medical procedures or tests due to costs. Of these people, 28 percent endangered their health by not filling prescriptions, skipping doses, taking expired medicine, splitting pills (without doctor consent) or sharing prescriptions with others.

The study also found that there is a disconnect between doctors and patients in terms of communication about drug prices. Sixty-four percent of people surveyed didn’t know the price of the drug they were prescribed until getting to the pharmacy. Is it any wonder that more people are abandoning their prescriptions at the pharmacy?

In addition, doctors--more often than not--have no idea whether their patients can afford a particular drug. Since 41 percent of people indicated that their doctors were less likely to prescribe generic drugs, this is highly problematic.

With the economy still in shambles, and more cuts to health care coverage looming, the ability for consumers to import affordable medications from international pharmacies has never been more important. If you haven’t yet, please take a few moments to tell Congress and President Obama to protect access to this virtual lifeline.

Read the Consumer Reports study

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