New information (now two) on the bottom!

I know many of you are very frustrated with the medical industry in general. I have been–and still am as well–hence this blog. There have been many little victories and some I cannot discuss because I am under gag, but the one today I can discuss and can express my happiness in the open–albeit I still do not give names! I do not drink alcohol but if I did, today would be the day for a bottle of expensive bubbly…

In any case, here is what happened and why this has become the winning day of the month. If you read the post I wrote on the 18th of July, just a day short of one week ago today, about brand name versus generic drugs, and particularly the one I discussed called Singulair (Made by Merk), then you can relate to this happiness. Otherwise you may have to go back and read the previous blog post as well.

So here it goes: I have asthma and I fall into that 1% of all asthmatics who are helped by this drug Singulair, manufactured by Merk Pharmaceuticals. Singulair’s active ingredient is Montelukast Sodium. Some medical institutions, not looking at the chemical formula, came to the conclusion that Montelukast is the same as Montelukast Sodium–eat a pinch of salt with it they think. Not so.

I called Merk Pharmaceuticals, also took letter to the doctor who made the decision to deny the proper generic or brand name, and I also went after Member Services in my medical provider, my own pulmonary specialist, and contacted the NIH to update the database, which is currently wrong on their website.

I also called around and found that all other pharmacies around me carry Montelukast Sodium as generic and not Montelukast; only the medical organization I belong to carries Montelukast, which is not a generic equivalent to Singulair.

I fought with the medical institution for almost 2 weeks.

I am not sure if my fight alone or if Merk or Member Services came to help or my pulmonary doctor put his foot down, but someone did and I received the brand name drug at my usual copay! Not a generic equivalent, but the brand name!

This is a huge win but not only for me!

This shows you that you own your own health! It is your job to stand up for what you want, need, or believe! It is your doctors’ job to follow your guidelines, to explain to you what and why and how. It is your job to make sure you know your options and what you are getting!

Let this be a lesson for us all!

Go and get what you need! Dare to open your mouth and go after sources that can help you!

Feel free to comment!

Angela

UPDATE!

After receiving the brand name drug, I received an email from my pulmonary specialist stating that the medical institution followed my analysis and request and changed their generic from the incorrect Montelukast to the correct Montelukast Sodium! This now has turned into good news for all and a happy winning advocacy! I repeat here the most important factors that change now the life of many:

Go and get what you need! Dare to open your mouth and go after sources that can help you!

Hugs Everyone,

Angela