Clinics protest free-medication rule

[Lasher]

Thousands to lose prescription access if board prevails

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Penny Stover takes a handful of prescription pills every day, but she doesn't have to pay a dime for her medications.

Stover picks them up at West Virginia Health Right, a free health clinic on Charleston's East End that distributes medications donated by drug manufacturers.

A new rule proposed by the state Board of Pharmacy, however, could force clinics to eliminate their prescription drug programs, leaving thousands of low-income uninsured West Virginians like Stover without medications they need, according to clinic administrators and patients

<snip>

The pharmacy board's proposal requires that a pharmacist or pharmacy technician be present when doctors dispense donated medications at the state's 10 free clinics. The clinics also must designate a "pharmacist in charge."

The clinics say the change would cost them an extra $100,000 to $300,000 a year, an expense they can't afford. Some clinics predict they'll have to shut down.

"The end result will be that patients will stop taking their medications because they won't be able to afford them," said Pat White, executive director of West Virginia Health Right. "Lives are on the line."

http://wvgazette.com/News/200808211934

[Lost River Ledger]

1. Oy!

This is just overkill to solve a problem that does not exist. However, would it be possible for the clinics to band together, hire one set of staff to comply and provide their services by mail order? Or, the clinics could stay open, process orders via email to the appropriately designated staff if need be, but dispense from a single source by mail back to the individual at home or in care of the address of the clinic.

[Lasher]

2. I'm going to guess there are those afoot who just want the clinics closed.

If I am right, no amount of adjustment would placate them.

"You tell me whar a man gits his corn-pone, ... I'll tell you what his 'pinions is" - Mark Twain

[Lasher]

3. Rules for medicine at clinics relaxed

September 4, 2008

Change allows doctors, dentists to dispense drugs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - In the wake of widespread criticism, the state Board of Pharmacy has relaxed proposed rules that regulate pharmacies at free clinics across the state.

Thousands of low-income West Virginians without health insurance rely on the clinics for free prescription medications.

The pharmacy board received scores of letters and e-mails sent by doctors, patients, health-care advocates and legislators, urging the agency not to jeopardize the free prescription drug programs at the state's network of 10 free clinics.

Some clinics predicted they would be forced to eliminate their medication programs - or shut down altogether, if the pharmacy board didn't back down.

"This is a step in the right direction, but there still are some issues," said Pat White, director of West Virginia Health Right in Charleston, the largest free clinic in the state. "The overwhelming response had a significant impact on the changes the board made. They're moving in the right direction."

http://wvgazette.com/News/200809030667

A happy ending. Good for the pharmacy board. :thumbsup:

[Hubert Flottz]

4. They were afraid somebody would get a pain pill and fly out the

window. We need a war on this ignorant "War On Drugs"...We need a war on Dregs...people who have nothing better to do than to sit around and cook up bullshit to try and ruin everybody's lives. These political DREGS want to make a few political brownie points.

How many times have people all over this country done without pain meds, because of these "drug war" Nazis? If you have a pony tail you'd better never get sick or hurt. But if you're Rush Slimebag you can get all the dope you want.