Neurontin and Insurance.

It is SO ridiculous to think that the drug companies are driving the agenda around what drugs are available to people, whatever the off label use.

I agree – these meds have worked for me for a number of years now. I forgot a dose yesterday; by the afternoon, I was useless in terms of breakthrough pain. I hope that the neurological community of physicians at least will recognise this for what it is, and at least continue to prescribe appropriately.

The sad part is if insurance companies decide that a particular med is not what they will cover, then people will needlessly suffer. I don’t live in the US, and come from Canada — so I only have experience with public systems. We have an organisation called Pharmac, that works with the medical community to ensure that the appropriate meds are available within the total available money. While some of their decisions are contentious – how long to fund a trial of Herceptin, for example – at least we have them as a barrier between the commercial interests.

I don’t think that the US has an organisation like that? I could be wrong…but I have a memory of reading that it would be really helpful in situations exactly like this.

Take care…hope all are well.

Debs