Re:Pain Medicines Requiring Monthly Dr. Visits

[Guest guest]

I think it really depends on the state laws as well as the insurance

company. When I lived in Wisconsin years ago I took amphetamines. I

had to see the doc once a month and in order to have the RX filled, she

had to provide some sort of special authorization code and the pharmacy

had to call the insurance company every month to approve the refill

although the doctor had a one year approval on the drug pre-authorized.

Also in Wisconsin at the time, you had to have a paper prescription for

these drugs as opposed to the doc being able to call in the RX or fax it

in. My sister-in-law used to live in Delaware, and she takes multiple

narcotics including oxycontin. Per laws in her state she can only get

30 days at a time and she must have a paper prescription. So, while

she does not have to see the doc every month, she has to go get the

actual prescription to take personally to the pharmacy. And when the

month has 31 days she is screwed as they will only do a 30 day dosage.

This may be the insurance company or state rule, I'm not sure. Also,

when I lived in FL state law prohibited generics of Synthroid being

dispensed. Here in ME generics are permitted and so the doc has to

order brand name on the prescription and it is a higher co-pay. It is

ridiculous the way the laws and insurance companies regulate certain

meds. I understand the need in terms of preventing drug selling and

overdosing and such, but for folks with a proven track record of use and

not abuse, I think there should be some laxity.

Sandrea