Pharmaceutical Access

Request for stories about high medication costs

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) is looking for stories by registered nurses about how the high cost of pharmaceuticals, or the lack of coverage, adversely affects their practice or the quality of life of their patients. We are working with other national health organizations, including, but not limited to, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Medical Association, to encourage federal, provincial and territorial governments to address the issue of access to safe, effective and affordable prescription drugs for all Canadians. The goal is to use these stories when talking with the media, politicians and other government officials to illustrate the need to tackle the problem.

CNA will work with RNs to develop their story. If you have an experience you’re willing to share – no need to include personal details – contact Della Faulkner by December 7, 2009.

Here are a few ideas to get you started. Do any of the following situations sound familiar?

• Are you seeing patients in crisis in the emergency department because they had to cut back on their prescription meds to save money?
   
• Do you have patients who are choosing to live with side effects they might avoid if they could afford more expensive alternatives?
   
• Do patients tell you they have to choose between buying groceries and filling their prescriptions?
   
• Do patient care teams offer to keep patients in hospital longer than needed, or offer in-patient treatment, so as to give patients access to free medications?
   
• Do patients choose to die in hospital rather than receive palliative care at home so they can save on medication costs?
   
• Are you aware of patients who moved to another province or territory to get better coverage, or who have reduced drug coverage due to a recent move?
   
• Do you have patients who are reluctant to discuss their medications because they are too embarrassed to admit they cannot afford the drugs?