Until recently, I wasn’t so concerned about affordable prescriptions as the insurance I had covered everything one hundred percent. Additionally, I did not have the need. In the last few years though, I have faced chronic pain from overworked injuries, nerve pain, anxiety, and uncontrolled ADHD (with an emphasis on the H).
These are the physicians and professionals I am seeking advice and services from:
- Orthopedic
- Family doctor
- Acupuncturist
- Physical therapist
- Physiologist
- Psychologist
Thankfully, the United States has passed a bill to prohibit “Big Pharma” from price gouging and to mandate that they provide affordable medication.
“Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023
This bill prohibits product hopping by drug manufacturers, authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to enforce this prohibition, and imposes limits on patent litigation involving biological products.
Generally, product-hopping describes a situation where, when the patents on a reference drug (or biological product) expire, the manufacturer switches to a follow-on product that is covered by a later-expiring patent. Under this bill, a follow-on product is a modified version of the reference drug that has an indication (what the drug is used for) that is identical or substantially similar to an indication of the reference drug,”.
In a nutshell, this Act will assist in lowering drug prices by preventing bad actors from using patents to block generic and biosimilar competition from coming to market.
What is the purpose of patients for affordable drugs?
So, here’s some good news…there’s a non-profit organization that focuses solely on helping patients, a patient meds advocate of sorts. The positive news does not stop there, as they do not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs.
According to Patients for Affordable Drugs, they are “the only independent national patient organization focused exclusively on achieving policy changes to lower the price of prescription drugs. We do not accept funding from organizations that profit from the development or distribution of prescription drugs,”.
Their mission is to empower and mobilize patients and allies, hold those in power accountable, and fight to shape and achieve system-changing policies that make prescription drugs affordable for all people in the United States.
Many patients with multiple health conditions require different medications, and the costs add up quickly. I can certainly relate! The burden of high drug prices has led me to make difficult decisions such as skipping doses, splitting pills, or forgoing medications altogether, and is not a good idea for my health. But I am a single mother with two teenage boys who are hungry 24/7 – my grocery bill has outgrown the mortgage!
In this landscape of healthcare advocacy, organizations like Patients for Affordable Drugs play a crucial role in advocating for policy changes that prioritize patients’ needs and interests over corporate profits. Their commitment to independence and refusal of funding from entities with vested interests in pharmaceutical development and distribution shows their dedication to advancing the cause of affordable prescriptions for all individuals in the US.
Empowering patients, mobilizing allies, and holding decision-makers accountable, Patients for Affordable Drugs strives to enact systemic changes that address the root causes of high drug prices and make essential medications more accessible and affordable for all. Through their advocacy efforts, they work towards creating a healthcare system that prioritizes patients’ health and financial well-being, ensuring that no one must choose between their health and financial security.
Medication assistance program
Thankfully, in my home state of Michigan, we have several programs that help our citizens acquire affordable medications in addition to the Federal program. Michigan’s medication assistance program has some of the following services and references:
- Michigan’s Prescription Drug Discount Card:
The MiRx Card is a prescription drug discount program for Michigan residents who do not have any prescription drug coverage. Learn more about the MiRx Card here. - RxAssist Patient Assistance Program Center
- Together Rx Access
- NeedyMeds.org
- Michigan Drug Prices.com
- Free Clinics:
Some free clinics offer prescription assistance to people without insurance. Find general information on free clinics here.
There are some more resources such as but not limited to:
- Rx Outreach
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Good Rx
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- Rx Hope
Then there are those exceptional doctors out there who work directly with their low-income patients by either finding the most effective medication option, providing samples that they get for free from the pharmaceutical companies, or connecting them with patient assistance programs to ensure they can access the medications they need at affordable or no cost.
My family physician is one of these doctors who go above and beyond to ensure we patients receive the best care possible, regardless of our financial situation. Their dedication and compassion are truly commendable, and they serve as shining examples of ethical and patient-centered healthcare. In fact, my doctor was recently named Doctor of the Year – how awesome is that! I am blessed to have such a good healthcare team.
In the realm of mental health, access to affordable psychiatric medications is also exceptionally crucial for individuals struggling with conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Medications play a significant role in managing these conditions and improving patients’ mental well-being. However, the high cost of psychiatric medications can create barriers to access for many individuals, leading to untreated or poorly managed mental health conditions.
In the physical therapy and rehabilitation arena, affordable access to medications for pain management and musculoskeletal conditions is critical for patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic pain conditions. Again, I can relate to this, and the professionals I have are amazing and helpful.
As my complete healthcare team works together for my best interest, they focus on personalized treatment plans that address my root causes of illness or pain and promote overall wellness that offers patients like me effective and sustainable solutions for health concerns.
Medication affordability
In conclusion, the push for affordable medications is a vital aspect of comprehensive healthcare reform that prioritizes patients’ needs and rights. With legislative measures like the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023 and advocacy from organizations like Patients for Affordable Drugs, there is hope for a future where essential medications are affordable and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their financial circumstances.
