Erin posted a couple days ago tips for saving time and gas money by minimizing trips to the pharmacy by maximizing how you spend your time there. But what if you can’t even make it to the pharmacy, or there is no point in going because you know you can’t afford your prescriptions?
The New York Times ran this article on the front page today, and I think it speaks to the troubles we face as a country in this struggling economy. It also reminded me of an experience I had as a broke college student several months back.
I was sick. I can’t remember exactly what my ailment was, but it was probably one of the numerous bacterial lung infections, sinus infections, or colds that I encountered during my college years. So I went to the student health center, which during certain times of the year is always packed with people waiting to see the doc, and dutifully took a seat. The wait on this particular visit was no joke, and I love to people watch, so I just sat and watched people file through the waiting room, the pharmacy, and the various examination rooms.
A man came up to the pharmacy counter where medications were dispensed. This counter is visible from the waiting room, and unless you speak very softly, everyone can hear your conversation. I heard the pharmacy attendant tell him that his prescription would be some outrageous cost – over $200.
He said, “What? I’ve been on this medicine for a long time and it’s never cost that much. What happened?” She told him she wasn’t sure, but that’s how much it was.
He said something to the effect of, “Well, I can’t afford that. So I can either charge the bill and owe money I don’t have, or I can walk out of here without the medicine I need.” She just stared blankly at him, probably feeling helpless and terrible. He left without his medication.
Keep in mind, this was several months ago, probably in February or so of this year, before the economy took a turn for the worse. I often wonder, if I took a seat in my current pharmacy and watched people come in for prescriptions, how many of them would walk out as empty-handed as they were when they walked in.
As a more recent personal example, in May of this year I went to my local pharmacy here to fill a prescription, and the pharmacy tech told me that without insurance, it would have cost about $400. With insurance, only $40. Luckily I had insurance, but what if I hadn’t? I would have gone without. I couldn’t have afforded it.
Do you have any stories like this? Clearly we all value our own health. Have you (or anyone you know) ever been unable to take care of yourself because it was just not affordable?
