My Mother Was Ready to Go Without Her Medicine. Millions of Americans Could Face the Same Choice.

My mother, with tears in her eyes and resignation on her face, declared, “I will go without. It’s fine.” 

After two bypasses and two stents were placed, her insurance wouldn’t cover the newer (more expensive) blood thinner that would prevent blood clots and strokes. Her reaction to the less expensive blood thinner was “not severe enough” to warrant it. I heard this as I’m looking at my mom, feet up on an ottoman, unable to walk due to blisters completely covering the bottom of her feet. The fear and frustration I felt at the seemingly insurmountable task of keeping her safe and healthy was overwhelming.

After working in pharmacy for more than a decade, patient access to affordable medications became much more personal for me that day. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), “Competition in America is about price, selection, and service. It benefits consumers by keeping prices low and the quality and choice of goods and services high. Competition also encourages businesses to offer new and better products.” Perhaps it was in this spirit that the FDA used discretion when it comes to personal importation of medications. Or perhaps, they also had a personal experience like mine. 

Whatever the motivation, personal importation has saved lives by giving Americans the option of getting their medications from outside the U.S. at a fraction of the cost for decades. Americans who, without that option, would have had to choose between living and eating. Americans who may now have to do just that.

We could debate the motivations behind the new U.S. Customs policy taking effect on October 22nd that could strip that option from all of us. If the spirit of competition is no longer valued. But the daughter in me can only think about the lives and the families affected, the choices that will have to be made, and the devastation that it WILL cause. With all these thoughts, the fear and frustration I felt that day with my mom came rushing back. 

I hope that you will stand with me for those families. The Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation has an easy tool to send a letter to your representatives and make your voice heard.

Read related stories on Ask PharmacyChecker

Here are related posts published on Ask PharmacyChecker:

• What to Do if You Can No Longer Order Prescription Drugs From Abroad 
• Where do this psychiatrist’s patients turn for affordable medicine if the U.S. stops access via international mail order?
• “A Significant Blow”: Physician Responds to Concerns CBP and FDA May Block Personal Prescription Drug Imports
• Dallas Woman Pays $10 a Week for Medicine From Canada. She Could Soon Face $1,100.