US Pharm.
2008;33(8):3.
I
like New Jersey. I've lived in New Jersey most of my adult life. I grew up in
The Garden State; attended grammar, junior, and high school here; did
undergraduate work at Rutgers, The State University; and graduated from
Rutgers College of Pharmacy, New Jersey's only pharmacy school. I owned and
operated two retail pharmacies located in New Jersey and currently work in an
office building directly opposite Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Sports
Complex, two of New Jersey's most famous landmarks. I have lived in six New
Jersey counties over the years and have paid New Jersey state taxes for the
past 40-plus years. I guess you can say that New Jersey has been good to me
and my family, and, politics aside, I've enjoyed living in the state. But a
recent event has got the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
The
other day I picked up a newsletter that was apparently sent only to New Jersey
residents who belong to AARP. I always thought that AARP did a creditable job
for its membership, whose vast majority is well over the age of 50 and very
concerned about their health care, which brings me to why I am so upset with
AARP and the State of New Jersey.
In the latest issue of AARP
NJ (www.aarp.org/NJ) is a Q&A column with Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein
(D-Dist. 14). Greenstein boasts in the column that she was the prime sponsor
of legislation that created the New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price
Registry. She explains that the "registry provides a list of the 150 most
frequently prescribed drugs and how much they cost at pharmacies across the
state." The idea is that consumers can either go online or call an 800 number
to determine which pharmacies in their neighborhood carry their drug(s) for
the lowest price. I started to spit up bile when I read this. Here is an
example of another typical politician who has total disregard for the health
and welfare of her constituency. As always, it is all about price. And, by
running this column, AARP--which is supposed to be in the forefront of health
care for seniors--is tacitly endorsing this piece of legislation.
I am certain that neither
Linda Greenstein nor Jim Dieterle, AARP's state director, has any idea of the
potentially fatal harm they are perpetuating on consumers by endorsing such a
program. By reducing life-saving medications to a commodity, they are
encouraging consumers to throw all caution to the wind concerning serious
interactions that are caught by pharmacists every day. Without full medication
histories, it is impossible for one pharmacy to ascertain the level of
interactions that may be taking place as a result of prescriptions purchased
at another pharmacy.
I immediately wrote to both
Ms. Greenstein and Mr. Dieterle, expressing my distaste for their endorsement
of such a law. Of course, I've received no response. Unfortunately, what is
happening in New Jersey is probably not an isolated example. As we begin the
presidential election process, we will undoubtedly hear a lot of empty
promises and illogical ideas regarding health care from both candidates. Now
is the time for all of us to step up to the plate to voice our opinions,
because regardless of which side of the political fence you are on, what is
happening in New Jersey certainly won't stay in New Jersey.
To comment on this article, contact
editor@uspharmacist.com.
