Beginning this week, pharmacies across New York will make antiviral medications available to those who need it to combat H1N1, but lack prescription health insurance or the ability to pay for it.
David Paterson
New York Gov. David A. Paterson announced that the state’s department of health is distributing 125,000 treatment courses of Tamiflu and Relenza from the state’s emergency stockpile to more than 1,200 participating pharmacies outside of New York City. In a statement, Paterson said that a normal course of treatment with antiviral medications costs $100, “a financial hurdle” that could prevent thousands from obtaining the life saving medicine.
Instead, participating pharmacies will make the medications available for a maximum cost of $5 per treatment course for New York’s underinsured and uninsured population. This fee can be waived for those without health insurance who cannot afford it, the governor’s office said and patients must obtain a prescription from their health care provider to obtain the antiviral medication.
“I commend the pharmacies involved in this collaborative effort,” Paterson said. “Their decision will help thousands of New Yorkers access antiviral medications if they should become ill from H1N1 influenza.”
Paterson added that in the past, the state has made flu vaccines available at no cost to those without health insurance “and the distribution of free antiviral medications builds on this.
“Lack of financial means should not be a barrier to obtaining recommended vaccination or treatment of H1N1 health care.”
New York Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines encouraged those at highest risk of complications from flu – such as children and pregnant women – to contact their health providers at the first sign of flu to see if it is appropriate for them to access the antiviral medications.
“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,” he said.
New York distributing H1N1 medication to uninsured, underinsured via IFAwebnews.com .
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