GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTION OF ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS TO HELP PROTECT NEW YORKERS AGAINST H1N1 FLU
Free Medications Targeted to Uninsured, Underinsured
Governor David A. Paterson announced yesterday that New York State, in partnership with pharmacies, is making antiviral medications available to New Yorkers who need the medications to combat the H1N1 flu but lack prescription health insurance or the ability to pay.
"A normal course of treatment with antiviral medications costs approximately $100, a financial hurdle that could prevent thousands of New Yorkers with limited or no health insurance from obtaining these potentially life-saving medications," Governor Paterson said. "I commend the pharmacies involved in this collaborative effort. Their decision will help thousands of New Yorkers access antiviral medications if they should become ill from H1N1 influenza."
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) is distributing approximately 125,000 treatment courses of the antiviral medications Tamiflu and Relenza from the State emergency stockpile this week to more than 1,200 participating pharmacies outside of New York City. Antiviral medications are prescription drugs that help prevent and treat the flu, reducing the risk of serious complications and death.
Beginning the week of December 7, participating pharmacies will make the medications available by prescription at a maximum cost of $5 per treatment course for uninsured and underinsured New Yorkers. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene coordinates the distribution of antiviral medications in New York City.
The distribution of antiviral medications represents a portion of the public health emergency supplies deployed to New York State from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile. DOH officials previously distributed a much smaller amount of antiviral medications to county health departments in May for use by hospitals and other health care providers.
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: "I encourage those at highest risk of complications from flu to contact their health care providers at the first sign of flu to see if it is appropriate for them to be prescribed an antiviral medicine, which will reduce the risk of serious illness. Individuals in high-risk groups, especially pregnant women, should also contact their health care providers if they have been in close contact with someone sick with flu, as they may be prescribed antiviral medicine as a precaution to help prevent the flu. Vaccination continues to be the most effective protection against both the seasonal and H1N1 flu, but there is a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine this year and continued delays in the production of H1N1 flu vaccine."
Steve Weingarten, Executive Director of the Chain Pharmacy Association of New York State, said: "Pharmacists across the state are eager to help people who are fighting the flu by providing beneficial medication to our customers, particularly those who are uninsured or underinsured."
Craig Burridge, Executive Director of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, said: "Our pharmacists recognize the critical importance of getting the antiviral Tamiflu out to those individuals who do not have prescription drug coverage at a price all can afford. On behalf of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, we want to thank our participating pharmacies for agreeing to the limited dispensing fee and to our wholesalers who played a critical role in the distribution of the state's stockpile."
Those at highest risk of serious illness and complications from the flu for whom healthcare providers might prescribe antiviral medications are:
- Pregnant women, as well as women who have given birth in the past two weeks;
- Children younger than 5 years of age, especially children younger than 2 years of age;
- Individuals 65 years and older;
- Individuals with respiratory conditions, including asthma, chronic lung disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
- Individuals with other underlying health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, blood disorders, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders or neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis);
- Individuals with weakened immune systems (including those with HIV/AIDS); and
- Individuals under 19 years who are on long-term aspirin therapy.
To receive the State stockpile antiviral medications at a participating pharmacy, patients must obtain a prescription from a qualified health care provider. A pharmacy may charge patients a maximum of $5 for the cost incurred in processing the prescription; however, the fee will be waived for those without health insurance who cannot afford the cost. Governor Paterson urged health care providers to make their uninsured and underinsured patients aware of the free antiviral medications.
Lack of financial means should not be a barrier to obtaining recommended vaccination or treatment of H1N1 health care," Governor Paterson said. "We have made flu vaccines available at no cost to those who lack health insurance, and the distribution of free antiviral medications builds on this."
Local health departments and health care providers continue to provide H1N1 vaccinations to New Yorkers. More than 85 percent of county health departments outside of New York City have either conducted H1N1 flu clinics or will hold clinics in the coming weeks.
Additional information about the free antiviral medications, including a list of participating pharmacies, will be available beginning December 7 on the DOH website at www.nyhealth.gov .