Medication Switching Resource
The Epilepsy Foundation has taken on a leadership role regarding the issue of preventing mandatory substitution of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and has contacted major insurance companies to share research on switching and request that, given the elevated risk, companies not require patients on brand AEDs to switch.
Information on this outreach and the response are in the medication switching section of the Epilepsy Foundation National website which can be viewed at: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/medicationswitching/response.html.
The Epilepsy Foundation strongly believes that patient and physician consent should be obtained before an individual with epilepsy experiences a substitution in their epilepsy medication. The Foundation also supports insurers providing equitable access to epilepsy medications where a patient and/or their physician recommend against medication substitution. We support cost sharing and prescription drug copayments that do not penalize an individual who needs to maintain consistency with their epilepsy treatments. We have also urged insurers to eliminate any cost differential between brand and generic AED's for people with epilepsy.
If someone has private insurance coverage that offers a prescription drug benefit, there are a variety of ways to stay on their exact medication and it is important to understand what their plan requires. In addition, coverage does not necessarily mean that there will be no increase in cost; if one is able to avoid a medication substitution, they should ask their insurer what their cost is (total copayment to stay on the brand name drug).
We hope you find this information helpful.
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| Important News on Medication Switching Issue
Below is a copy of a letter Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa sent to their members taking Topamax, Keppra, and Lamictal. The letter indicates "Current literature regarding antiepileptic drugs indicates that existing users of brand name medications who switch to generic name medications after being on brand name medication may experience epileptic events requiring medical care." As such Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa has revised their policy so that members do not have to pay the difference between brand name and the generic for the above listed medications. Further, they have implemented the change retroactive to April 1, 2009 and sent members a refund check for the cost difference over this seven month period. We would like to express our appreciation to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa for addressing the evidence showing an elevated risk for patients who switch and placing patient safety as a priority ahead of profit. We hope that other insurance companies will follow their lead.
Also below is a letter of appreciation to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa from Eric Hargis, President & CEO of the national Epilepsy Foundation.
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Letter from Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
Eric Hargis' Letter to Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa |
| We thank Dr. Oz for doing an excellent piece on seizure first aid during his program on February 12th. This kind of education is so important for everyone to know. Please view the video and share with friends. View Video
| VIDEO ON MEDICATION SWITCHING BILL
The Illinois General Assembly is considering Senator Kotowski's anti-switching bill, Senate Bill 2060. To view the video, please click here.
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