2008-08-14 23:33:02 -

- For California Pharmacists Association Bill Bradley, 916-658-0144 or 916-213-5230 bill@perrycom.com The ten percent Medi-Cal provider cuts that went into effect on July 1, 2008 have already created hardships throughout California for pharmacists and the patients they serve. More and more pharmacies have been forced to stop filling Medi-Cal prescriptions because pharmacies lose money on nearly every prescription filled. To

date, 224,281 Californians have signed petitions urging the Governor and Legislature to rescind the cuts to ensure that patients receive the medications they need to live healthy lives.

"Our fears regarding these Medi-Cal provider cuts are coming true," said Lynn Rolston, chief executive officer of the California Pharmacists Association. "Pharmacists have been forced to make the incredibly difficult decisions to turn away patients. This has been a real struggle for pharmacists as they have served many of these patients for years and have become like family. However, some pharmacists have no choice as long as the state reimburses them at $10, $20 or $ 50 or more below actual cost of the drug. It's not rocket science: You can't stay in business if you are losing money on nearly every transaction. It's a sad situation, one that can hopefully be remedied by the courts or through an alternative solution by the Legislature."

While the provider cuts affect all health care professions, the impact on pharmacy is so dire that a grassroots coalition called Patients for Access to Medicines, which has more than 40 organizations representing millions patients and providers, was formed to speak in a unified voice against the cuts. Pharmacy organizations along with patient and senior advocacy groups such as the Mental Health Association in California, the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, the California Association of Health Plans and AARP, among many others, recognize and are speaking out against the adverse effects these cuts will have on the patients they represent.

"Pharmacists have been encouraged by the support we have received from patients across the state," said Rolston. "If you listed all the petition signatures end to end, it would stretch ten miles."

A report, Assessing the Effects of Medi-Cal's Ten Percent Across-the-Board Provider Reimbursement Reductions on Access, Services and the Pharmacy Provider Network, produced by Health Management Associates, shows that the reduction in Medi-Cal reimbursements will result in pharmacies receiving reimbursements for many of the drugs they dispense that are less than the cost of acquiring and dispensing the drugs. As a result, many pharmacies are being forced to stop accepting Medi-Cal prescriptions, which could make it difficult for Medi-Cal patients to obtain the medicines they need.

These findings support a trend that has taken place since the Medi-Cal provider cuts went into effect last month.

"The real tragedy is that many of these patients cannot go for even one day without their medication," continued Rolston. "Especially those with HIV, mental illness or cancer. Any disruption in care can have long term adverse complications, and will result in patients turning to emergency rooms for care or worse, which will cost the state far more money than the projected savings from these Medi-Cal cuts."

To learn more about Patients for Access to Medicines or the view the Health Management Associates report, visit www.calaccessrx.org. The Web site also includes summaries of actions taken by pharmacies across the state since the cuts went into effect as well as testimonials by patients who, in some cases, have been unable to have their prescriptions filled.

Patients for Access to Medicines is a coalition founded by the California Pharmacists Association, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the California Retailers Association, to fight the ten percent Medi-Cal provider cuts. The coalition consists of patient advocacy organizations, senior groups and pharmacies throughout California.

****SPECIFIC PETITION NUMBERS FOR YOUR REGION CAN BE SENT TO YOU UPON REQUEST***

Medi-Cal Patients Are Losing Access to Needed Medication