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 Lessons from Len (Ferrara)

Not Too Old to Learn about Drugs                                                          

                                                                                                                ….Len Ferrara

 

It’s been a busy two months. The State of NJ changed our prescription plan on January 1, and the new carrier, Medco, definitely does things differently than we’re used to.  I refer you back to my article on “Being Techno-Savvy” in an earlier newsletter, because, my friends, the future is upon us.  Early reports had telephone callers being told to “do it online”.  I’m sure the reps were overwhelmed, but they should not be having a doughnut between every call.  Medco reps have also provided contradictory phone and fax numbers and mailing addresses for sending in prescriptions from the doctor. 

 

The questions and discrepancies remain.  Some people have had a smooth transition while some are still fighting for what they believe is the correct drug for them.  We have people being denied the script they’ve been taking, while others have had their order for the same drug filled.  How is this determined?  At this point we still do not know.  Much can be accomplished through the use of the computer, but many of us still rely on a human voice that knows what he or she is doing.

 

So what do I know? Or better still, what have I learned in the last month?

 

- If you take a generic drug you pay $9 for a 90 day supply when you order by mail.  Since I’m a firm    believer in mail order for long term drugs, that’s no problem for me.  The cost of that drug is $10.  Medco pays $1 you pay $9.

 

-There is a difference between generic drugs AND generic alternatives.  Before February 8th I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a generic alternative.

 

    By Wikipedia definition - A generic must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generic drugs are identical or within an acceptable bioequivalent range to the brand name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.  By extension, therefore, generics are considered (by the FDA) identical in dose, strength, route of administration, safety, efficacy, and intended use.

 

     On the other hand, a generic alternative is NOT the exact chemical equivalent of the brand-name drug. It is ANOTHER DRUG that treats the medical condition in a similar fashion.  And so on the Medco website we find GENERIC ALTERNATIVES as well as GENERICS being offered.  Now that you know the difference, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision.  Of course, you should have called your doctor in the first place for his/her advice about switching to a generic or generic alternative.

 

I understand it’s all about limiting costs, and we all know that NJ is desperately trying to limit every cost that exists.  (One Medco rep told a retired caller that we should not blame Medco but the NJ Division of Pensions who determines the benefits.)  There are no excuses.  WE have to keep ourselves better informed and continue our self-education using our computers as aids not as roadblocks. And most of all – DON’T GET SICK! That obviously eliminates all the hassles.