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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Willow on August 11, 2001, at 12:39:40
http://toronto.globaltv.com/ca/news/stories/news-91490920010811-090830.html
This is regarding "state" insured drug coverage, but I wonder where it will stop. The article claims that a "board" will be formed which will include patients, but how much weight will their input have and what if a certain medication doesn't help one but will help someone else??
Three of the medications I take daily are new not generic drugs, plus one occassional usage. The costs of these drugs without insurance would bankcrupt my family. Will I once again become a financial burden?
Weeping Willow
Posted by mgrueni on August 11, 2001, at 13:59:27
In reply to Drug Insurance, posted by Willow on August 11, 2001, at 12:39:40
Hi Willow,
< http://toronto.globaltv.com/ca/news/stories/news-91490920010811-090830.html >
Just read the article. Hmmm.. do you really think, it will be that bad?
"We'd have some mechanism for assessing the marginal increase in effectiveness of a new pharmaceutical product measured against products already on the market, already in the formularies..."
So, that means *new* drugs, but yours are already in the formularies, aren`t they?
I guess, Mr.Rock is mainly talking about *pseudo new drugs* such as, for example, Painkillers like a pill which contains Paracetamol in combination with caffeine and Acetylsalicyl-acid. This one might be (as he put it) marginially more effective than pure Paracetamol, but it`s costs are much higher. Pharmaceutical companies are indeed very clever if it comes to increase their sales.
I don`t think Mr.Rock is going to remove your drugs from the formularies, just because they are new and not-generic.
Don´t panic, dear. Everything is going to be ok.
"He has been informally broaching the subject with his provincial counterparts for several months and is sensitive to possible complaints of federal intrusion in the provincial health care domain."Keep in mind, that this article is written by an employee of "BalTVcom", a *reporter*, who is paid for stirring the pot a bit.
I hope this helps to re-encourage you a little. Chin up! :o)
Micha
Posted by Willow on August 11, 2001, at 15:33:02
In reply to Re: Drug Insurance » Willow, posted by mgrueni on August 11, 2001, at 13:59:27
> So, that means *new* drugs, but yours are already in the formularies, aren`t they?
Two of the drugs aren't Losec and Mirapex. My doctor filled out a form so I can get the Losec and I paid for a portion of the Mirapex (my Blue Cross so far covered part) to check if it'll work.
> I don`t think Mr.Rock is going to remove your drugs from the formularies, just because they are new and not-generic.
Losec was taken off already as I mentioned above.
>
> "He has been informally broaching the subject with his provincial counterparts for several months ...Our governments have a way of announcing changes during the summer months that may cause controversy, in hopes that the masses don't notice.
Watch in a couple years I'll be pan-handling for pills.
Northern Willow
Posted by mgrueni on August 12, 2001, at 9:51:25
In reply to Re: Drug Insurance, posted by Willow on August 11, 2001, at 15:33:02
< Losec was taken off already as I mentioned above.......Our governments have a way of announcing changes during the summer months that may cause controversy, in hopes that the masses don't notice >
Hi again, Willow.
Hmmm... then you are right, that doesn`t sound very good. So, what to do?
I did a little bit of *research*, and here is what I could find out, so far:Losec contains the medicine Omeprazole (10,20 or 40 mg). Ok, Omeprazole is not really *new*, as far as I know. I don`t know if it´s possible in Cadada to import Losec from another country, but if yes, here`s a price list:
http://www.cptech.org/ip/health/econ/losec.html
(maybe your pharmacy can import it for you?)There are also a few generics available in germany:
Omeprazol 20mg (ratiopharm)
Omeprazol AL (Al-pharma)
Omeprazol Heumann (Heumann pharma)Mirapex is known in germany under the brand name "Sifrol".
As I said, I don`t know, if imports of cheaper generics or the original brand from other countries are possible in Canada, but we often do that in german pharmacies because of the *cost factor*. Ask your pharmacy, they will know.
Good luck,
Micha
Posted by Willow on August 12, 2001, at 13:34:38
In reply to Re: Drug Insurance » Willow, posted by mgrueni on August 12, 2001, at 9:51:25
> < Losec was taken off already as I mentioned above.......Our governments have a way of announcing changes during the summer months that may cause controversy, in hopes that the masses don't notice >
>
> Hi again, Willow.
>
> Hmmm... then you are right, that doesn`t sound very good. So, what to do?
> I did a little bit of *research*, and here is what I could find out, so far:
>
> Losec contains the medicine Omeprazole (10,20 or 40 mg). Ok, Omeprazole is not really *new*, as far as I know. I don`t know if it´s possible in Cadada to import Losec from another country, but if yes, here`s a price list:
>
> http://www.cptech.org/ip/health/econ/losec.html
> (maybe your pharmacy can import it for you?)
>
> There are also a few generics available in germany:
> Omeprazol 20mg (ratiopharm)
> Omeprazol AL (Al-pharma)
> Omeprazol Heumann (Heumann pharma)
>
> Mirapex is known in germany under the brand name "Sifrol".
>
> As I said, I don`t know, if imports of cheaper generics or the original brand from other countries are possible in Canada, but we often do that in german pharmacies because of the *cost factor*. Ask your pharmacy, they will know.
>
>
> Good luck,
>
>
> Micha
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