Organization helps taxpayers save on prescription medicine

Rep. Curt Hanson has noted there is a win-win organization for Iowa citizens and Iowa taxpayers regarding medical prescriptions called the Iowa Prescription Drug Corporation.

People eligible for IPDC programs would be any Iowan who is uninsured or underinsured, with a limited income. People who have been laid-off in this recession and have lost their medical insurance may find IPDC programs useful for themselves and their families, said Hanson.

IPDC has three programs: Drug Donation Repository Program; Iowa Medication Voucher Program; and Prescription Discount Card.

Drug Donation Repository

Unused medications and supplies can accumulate in a variety of medical settings, such as long-term care dispensing pharmacies. These unused medications cannot be simply flushed down the sewer as those chemicals contained in the drugs are likely to eventually end up in our water supply. Also, the expense to destroy these medications by incineration can be very high.

As an alternative, these unused medications and supplies are donated to the Drug Donation Repository Program.

Upon inspection by a licensed pharmacist, the donated medications and supplies are entered into an online inventory system where participating medical facilities can place orders for the products. Currently more than 200 medical facilities across Iowa, including community health centers, rural health clinics, free clinics, physician?s clinics, hospitals and pharmacies participate in the program.

The donated medications and supplies can be dispensed to any Iowan who is uninsured or underinsured, with an income 200 percent of the federal poverty level or below.

Some major disease states covered by donated medications include: Alzheimers, asthma, behavioral disorders, cardiac/hypertension, cancer/chemotherapy, depression, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson?s, renal, seizures and transplant/anti-rejection.

Any organization or individual in the country can donate medications in their original manufacturer, temper-evident packaging. Any pharmacy or medical facility with authorization to dispense per state rules may re-dispense donated medications.

For a list of requirements for donated medications and supplies, visit www.iowapdc.org/Downloads/Administrative%20Rules.pdf

The Drug Donation Repository Program provides a significant return on investment. For every $1 used to administer the program, $3 is generated in medications and supplies. Since the Drug Donation Repository Program was created more than $4.8 million dollars of free medications and supplies have been shipped to medical facilities across Iowa. The savings include millions of dollars in decreased hospital stays, fewer emergency room visits, and lower general family relief and charity care costs.

For more information on donating or receiving donated medications and supplies through a local health provider, contact the Iowa Prescription Drug Corporation at 866-282-5817 or jon.rosmann@iowapdc.org.

Iowa Medication Voucher

The IPDC also can serve Iowans in need of prescription assistance through the Iowa Medication Voucher Program.

The requirements to receive assistance through the program are similar to the Drug Donation Repository Program. Any Iowan who is uninsured or underinsured with an income 200 percent of the federal poverty level or below is eligible.

The state of Iowa received a settlement as part of a multi-state lawsuit with a pharmacy benefit manager. These dollars have been designated to assist Iowans in need of assistance with the purchase of critical prescription medications.

Ninety-day supplies of medications for hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, depression, and pregnancy/pre- and post-natal can be obtained through the Iowa Medication Voucher Program?s prescription formulary.

Individuals using a medication voucher are asked to pay a $3 co-pay for each prescription. If the individual cannot afford the co-pay, the $3 fee may be waived at the pharmacy. One voucher is required for each 90-day prescription filled. Individuals can use multiple vouchers at one time.

Pharmacies in Davis, Jefferson, Van Buren and Wapello counties are among the 329 pharmacies participating in 95 of Iowa?s 99 counties. Visit www.iowapdc.org to see which pharmacies in the area are participating in the program. Click ?Medication Voucher Program.? A list of participating pharmacies, program contacts by county, frequently asked questions, and the medication formulary are all available online.

If an individual or a pharmacy is in need of additional Medication Vouchers contact the Iowa Prescription Drug Corporation at 866-282-5817.

Prescription Discount Card

The IPDC also manages a Prescription Discount Card.

With the card, Iowans can receive significant discounts on brand name and generic medications. Any resident of Iowa is eligible to use the card.

The program is beneficial for Iowans who have insurance, but do not have prescription coverage. The program also may be used by individuals who have prescription coverage, but may not have coverage for specific medications.

No enrollment fee is charged to use the program. It is provided at no cost to residents as a collaborative effort between various Iowa corporations and participating pharmacies.

The program provides discounts for brand name and generic medications, but the maximum savings can be realized by using generic medications when possible.

Simply present the card at the local participating pharmacy when getting a new or refilled prescription, and the discounts will be calculated.

One card can be used per household. It may not be used in conjunction with an insurance program in order to discount co-payment or deductibles. Currently more than 500 pharmacies in the state participate in the prescription discount card program. The average savings per prescription is $41.06.

For additional information on the medication discount card, contact the IPCD at 866-282-5817.