Topic: Sources for antibiotics for folks unable to get them
ArtistDi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2297
posted
Since CDC publishing guidelines for lyme treatment, many insurance companies will not allow maximum treatment anymore. In other words, the companies won't pay for more than a week's worth of antibiotics.
Do you know of any sources where folks can get antibiotics--Canada, Cosco, etc?
My llmd has patients who have run into this. Any help will be appreciated.
Di
Posts: 1567 | From Hatfield, MA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Not sure if this will help, however, i currently don't have insurance and work directly with the pharmaceutical companies.
I went to their website, ie, pfizer.com or romark.com (probably any) and downloaded their 'patient assistance program' form..
I then filled that out, had my doctor fill his medical information in, attach the prescription and was able to get 3 months at a time, free meds..i got my zithromax and my alinia.
It's based I think on alot of different things, ie., no insurance; income, etc.
So, you might need to do a little research on the pharmaceutical websites and see their exact requirements...but i had no problem at all.
They were great. And i was grateful.
Hope this is an option for you. Diane
Posts: 121 | From Gaithersburg, MD USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
Wal-Mart, Target and perhaps some others have started programs where certain generic drugs are available for $4.00 for a 30-day supply.
I looked a the Wal-Mart list and of course non of the antibiotics I'm on right now are on there, but I think some antibiotics were.
This program has been rolling out throughout the country, so check with your local Wal-Mart and Target.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
I have used two main sources for meds that I can't afford. The first is NeedyMeds.com. They have compiled all the meds, both generic and brand
name with the pharmaceutical companies which make them and the guidelines each company has for dispensing free drugs. Each company's guidelines
are different but everything is there in one place, including a place to download applications with the drug companies. Besides the application
which you and your doctor sign, your doc will need to provide a script for 90 days of meds. Then the companies will either send the meds to your
doctor's office or mail directly to you. Most companies do not require a new application after 3 months, only a new script. This is a wonderful service.
I have also bought extremely expensive brand name meds from Canada. The best company I have found so far is RXNorth.com. The site tells all the
requirements for each med and the cost and amount of the meds. You or your doctor can merely fax a copy of the prescription to them. They have a toll
free number and are quite easy to talk to. I have gotten meds through them at 75-60% less than the US and I receive them in their original packaging.
There is one medication I take that comes from Germany via England via Canada. But it is the exact same medicine, except some of the writing
on the bottle is in German or French. They will tell you that you need to allow about 4 weeks for them to process orders. After you have faxed a script, it is good to call them and confirm that
it was received. That will put you at the top of the list for processing. Learned that over time with them. Obviously, this tells me that we in the US are being taken to the bank for our meds,
especially when we can get the exact same thing through another country. RXNorth also guarantees the quality and strength of their meds. They are very professional and helpful. I recommend them highly.
You could go to their site and see if a medication you need is there and how much it costs and make a decision about ordering it then.
The NeedyMeds.com site was started by a man and his wife who ran into problems paying for prescriptions. They began compiling data for themselves about pharma companies and their free drug programs.
Over the years, they have kept an up-to-date list of almost every drug made. They are a non-profit group that really does do an excellent job in helping others.
Good luck to you in helping those who struggle with the cost of medications!
Janet
-------------------- DISCLAIMER: No information presented above should be considered medical advice or take the place of advice given by a medical professional. Links to other sites are provided merely for ease of research. Posts: 287 | From Tennessee | Registered: Sep 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
alot of great info here, i added this thread to my newbie's advise/links!
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
Um, it is a different "grade" and may contain impurities, but if you are reeeeallly sick and reeeeaaaally desperate there was this one local woman who gave me MY BACK UP IDEA IN CASE OF NO LLMDS ANYMORE. Feed stores sell over-the-counter antibiotics for goats, pigs, cows, etc.
This one woman with a form of muscular dystrophy locally diagnosed Lyme who had fully recovered before with Iv abx but who had no insurance and could not GET them (I felt so bad for her!!!!!!) took animal antibiotics from the feed store. Just said they were for her goat but she did not have a goat. Big goat.
Anyways, it is MY back up plan*)!!!! It was cheap! And she didn't need a prescription!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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ArtistDi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2297
posted
You are all so kind, so on behalf of my llmd (and me)--thank you, thank you, thank you!
Di
Posts: 1567 | From Hatfield, MA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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Adding to what Cave said above. Some PA programs will mail directly to your house; I recieved Valtrex this way. Others only to a doc. Each program is different.
I always do the forms myself because I have had the doctor's offices mess them up too many times. costing me more time off the meds and more aggrevation and expense trying to maintain treatment.
I bring them into be signed and to get the script and then copy and mail them myself.
Copies are important for a few reasons, you have a record, you have the information for next time you need to fill out a form and you can remember what you filled out last time and when.
Some of the income requirements are fairly high levels and some programs do count assets and want cost analysis done.
In any case, it's always worth a shot to my mind. My treatment is pretty much limited to what I can get this way or the most inexpensive drugs.
Di, if you need help with learning to work PA programs I might be able to assist you. PM if you think I can be some help, k?
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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CaliforniaLyme
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 7136
posted
LYmeDad, I am sending you your very own psychic goat right now*&(!*)!
-------------------- There is no wealth but life. -John Ruskin
All truth goes through 3 stages: first it is ridiculed: then it is violently opposed: finally it is accepted as self evident. - Schopenhauer Posts: 5639 | From Aptos CA USA | Registered: Apr 2005
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JimBoB
Unregistered
posted
I got fish and bird abx from online, American companies. No Rx needed.
The only difference in grade is the $$$$$$ grade.
I still have a lot of them, as I couldn't take them after awhile anyway.
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