Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9194

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Zgarrick DP, Reutzel TJ.
PHARMACY'S ROLE IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEIR MEDICATIONS: MEDS DUPAGE EXPERIENCE
1995 Mar; 42:69

Abstract:

Many pharmacists are aware that the cost of medication is a primary source of non-compliance with prescription drug therapy. Federal, state, local and private initiatives have been undertaken in an effort to provide patients with access to medicines that they could not otherwise afford, but there still exists a large number of people that either do not qualify or cannot obtain access to these programs. In DuPage County (IL), pharmacists have worked in cooperation with community service groups, local governments, and private corporations to form MEDS DuPage. The goal of MEDS DuPage is to identify and propose action to assure access to medications for DuPage County residents who cannot afford medications, including those who are homeless, indigent, working poor, children, pregnant women and the elderly. Since 1993, pharmacists from various practice settings have worked with MEDS DuPage in a number of ways. Community and hospital practitioners have shared their experiences with regards to patients who cannot afford their medications. Researchers at the Chicago College of Pharmacy have examined the extent of this problem in the community and are collecting data from groups that assist those in need of medications. Pharmacists from the pharmaceutical industry are educating the community about the programs that they offer to help people who cannot afford their medications. Pharmacists in all communities can become involved in a number of ways to make sure that their patients who need medications have access to them. These ways are described in light of the professional and ethical responsibilities of pharmacists.