Pharmacy Information

Nationwide Network of Participating Pharmacies

  Friends of Wabash Announces Open Enrollment

(A Low Cost Alternative for Prescription Drugs)

$ They can compare “Friends” Rx prices with US averages;

$ They can compare US and international Rx prices; and

$ Seniors can compare “Friends” world network Rx costs with Medicare Part D using the simple Medicare Calculator.

             Recent FDA Announcement Mentions 5 Potentially Dangerous drugs

A November 18th Senate hearing was held to explore the FDA's record on warning people about drug risks.  David J. Graham, Associate Director of the FDA's Office of Drug Safety,  mentioned five drugs with underpublicized safety risks.  These five drugs are listed below.  If you are taking one of these medications and want to consider another treatment, experts recommend consulting with your doctor before stopping or changing any regimen.  Some drugs interact with others so you need to tell your doctor about any drugs (prescription or over-the-counter) that you're taking on a regular basis. 

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Meridia  -  Elevated risk of cardiovascular side effects including heart attach and stroke

Accutane - Can cause severe birth defects when taken by pregnant women

Serevent - Rare but serious asthma episodes and asthma related fatalities occurred in a study with Serevent

Bextra - More studies needed but may have same cardiovascular risks as those that caused Merck & Co to pull Vioxx from the market.

Crestor - Kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis, a rare but potentially fatal muscle disease

FORMS AVAILABLE TO ORDER INTERNATIONAL MAIL-ORDER MEDICATIONS

FOR FIRST TIME USERS AND FOR REFILL

• Go to www.expedite-Rx.com

• Click on "Print Enrollment Documents"

• Fill in your group number (from your EHO card)

• Fill in your cardholder id (Social Security Number)

• Fill in your birthdate (mm/dd/yyyy)

• Click Submit

• For initial orders, click number 1, 2 and 3.  For refills click number 4.

www.expedite-Rx.com  - Your International Mail Order Drug Program link -

www.drugbenefit.com

Routine prescriptions may be purchased retail at any Network EHO participating pharmacy. To find a Network Pharmacy near you, visit  www.drugbenefit.com/gcphcy.html .   Use your Back Button to return to WMHA web site.

Brand prescriptions for maintenance drugs written for 90 days may be ordered through Expedite Rx.  To check the price of a medication through Expedite Rx, visit www.Expedite-Rx.com.  Use your Back Button to return to WMHA web site.

KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT GENERIC DRUGS

Information From US Department of Health & Human Services-Food & Drug Administration

What are generic drugs?  A generic drug is the same as a brand-name drug in:  Dosage, Safety, Quality, the way it works, the way it is taken and the way it should be used.

Are generic drugs as safe as brand-name drugs?  Yes.  The FDA says that all drugs must work well and be safe.  Generic drugs use the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and work the same way.  So they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name drugs.

Are generic drugs as strong as brand-name drugs?  Yes.  The FDA requires generic drugs must be as:  High quality, strong, pure and stable as brand-name drugs.

Are brand-name drugs made in better factories than generic drugs?  No.  All factories must meet the same high standards.  If the factories do not meet certain standards, the FDA won't allow them to make drugs.

Why are generic drugs less expensive?  Creating a drug costs lots of money.  Since generic drug makers do not develop a drug from scratch, the costs to bring the drug to market are less.  But they must show that their product performs in the same way as the brand-name drug.  All generic drugs are approved by the FDA. 

What is the best source of information about generic drugs?  Contact your doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare worker for information on your generic drugs.  For more information, you can visit the FDA website at:  http://www.fda.gov/cder and click on Consumer Education.

If brand-name drugs and generic drugs have the same ingredients, why do they look different?  In the US, trademark laws do not allow generic drugs to look exactly like the brand-name drug.  However, the generic drug must have the same active ingredients.  Colors, flavors, and certain other parts may be different.  These things don't affect the way the drug works and they are looked at by FDA.

Do generic drugs take longer to work in the body?  No.  Generic drugs work in the same way and in the same amount of time as brand-name drugs.

Does every brand-name drug have a generic drug?  No.  When new drugs are first made they have drug patents.  Most drug patents are protected for 17 years.  The patent protects the company that made the drug first.  The patent doesn't allow anyone else to make and sell the drug.  When the patent expires, other drug companies can start selling the generic version of the drug.  But, they must first test the drug and the FDA must approve it.

ADDITION TO MAINTENANCE LIST

Our maintenance drug list has been expanded to include an additional class of drugs called "blood lipid regulating agents".  This includes such cholesterol reducing drugs as Lipitor, Zocor, Tricor, etc.

CLARITIN AND PRILOSEC ALERT

Prescription no longer required for Claritin and Prilosec.  See notice on Bulletin Board page.

Nationwide Assistance Programs

Many National plans are available to individuals needing financial assistance to purchase their prescription medications. Wabash members are encouraged to participate in Expedite Rx, our International mail order drug program with huge savings over U.S. pricing on brand name drugs.  Non-Wabash members may participate also for a $10.00 annual fee.  Railroaders are also invited to call 888-431-1140 for information about Railway Rx Assist, a program sponsored in part by NARVRE for railroaders and their families.  Other nationwide programs include those listed below a link provided, if available.  Use your Back Button to return to WMHA web site.

• Together Rx
  800-865-7211
  www.together-rx.com
   

• Novartis Care
  866-974-2273
  www.novartis.com
   

• Smith Kline Orange Card
  888-672-6436
   

• Pfizer Share
  800-717-6005
  www.pfizerforliving.com
   

• Lilly Answers
  877-795-4559
  www.lillyanswers.com
   

• www.needymeds.com

• www.helpingpatients.org

• www.rxhope.com

• www.rxassist.org

• www.destinationrx.com
   

International Drugs Available