An MP requests help

[John Smith]

I've not had any detailed conversations about this with Marian, but my assumption was that (as pointed out by Rosemary), solutions can be on the available-to-prescribe list, but also available at regular prices over-the-counter.

So, those with a season ticket, students, the elderly etc. would get the prescription free, and the rest of us would be no worse off than we are now.

But reading the above, maybe I've missed the point entirely!

[Andrew MacLean]

In all this try not to forget that it is cheaper to buy some solutions over the counter than with a prescription!

[jayuk]

Hmmmmm Andrew! You just gave me an idea

In all this, why not just have an agreement with an online retailer such as Post Optics..and the KC Board...who can then offer it at a discounted rate for ALL KC board members!..I am certain they would relish the marketing and we all would gain!

I do think this realy has merit!!..anyone have any thoughts around this?...

J

[Lynn White]

Hehe John...

I am afraid to say that in this life, the simple way never seems to happen.

"Being on prescription" sounds so easy, yet it is beset with beaurocracy. The main thing here is to show that people with KC are a special case and take it from there.

I am really not trying to make this more difficult than it seems John, hehe, but as I mentioned earlier, Systane itself is not on the available to prescribe list as it is (because of its cost) and it is much more effective for dry eyes than older generation lubricants. So I can see a conflict straight away if KC patients were allowed it and chronic dry eye patients still were not.

Many of my elderly patients who actually can get lubricants free on prescription choose to pay for Systane because it works better and they don't have to keep instilling it every few hours (which is difficult to do if you have arthritis).

Many other people choose to pay for specific drugs rather than free generics because despite the insistance that they all work the same, they often don't in practice.

So basically you are trying to tell a cash strapped system that you want all your solutions paid for (or discounted) if you are in an eligible group. I am not saying it can't be done, I am just saying its not as simple or as obvious as it seems at first glance. And I am pretty certain they would only allow generics anyway as Rosemary says.

[John Smith]

Lynn, I'm sure you're right.

However, I've just been asked to collect the specifics for now, as that is what the MP is asking for.

[jayuk]

Lynn

Agreed, I am sure the Systane example you gave would cause issue...but isnt this a good example of how we can prove that without it patients with KC/without cant function as well ?......Doesnt this also merit a conversation with the online places; thus allowing us to adhere to "stack em high sell them low!"....if its a group wide scheme they can make their money whilst also taking advantage of marketing!

J

[Andrew MacLean]

Jay

I agree entirely with the suggestion. the product range would probably be small, but it could grow as new products become availaable.

Andrew

[jayuk]

Well Id def be willing to set the ball rolling but I think it needs wider acceptance from the Committee......

J

[Andrew MacLean]

Well, I am pretty sure that members of the committee follow the postings in here, and would be able to take up the suggestion at their next meeting.

Andrew

[Lynn White]

As usual.. John has brought us down to earth....

What is needed at the moment is the information the MP asked for and I think it has been decided here that really no specific make can be ruled in or out as different people require different solutions and so many of you wear so many different types of lenses.

So what we are talking about is:

Soaking & disinfecting solutions, for softs and RGP's of all types.

Surface cleaners (Like LC65 etc)

Rewetting drops

Saline

Dry eye drops (definitely including Systane as the other generics don't work the same)

Possibly lubricants in cream base (like lacrilube)

contact lens cases

I think that about covers it? Any other suggestions?

Then perhaps you also need to consider financial help towards spectacles and contact lenses over and above "normal" situations due to the frequency these have to be changed. This could be mediated by the consultant who could give an ongoing dispensation to those who were not stable. (as in changes that occur post graft etc.) One of the reasons glasses are not prescribed post graft is because of the sheer cost in changing lenses all the time - yet those of you who do pay out for changes know that this can help even in the short term if you are desperate to keep working for example.

I do think that what is needed first of all here is an explanation and therefore recognition of the special needs of KC patients - after that, what can be done about it will follow on from there.

Lynn