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"These endorsements say a lot about the
safety and effectiveness of I-SaveRx," the governor said. "Nurses
are on the front lines in our health care system. Not only do they
understand the grave need for more affordable prescription drugs,
they also understand how important it is to put safeguards in place
so patients aren't putting their health at risk in order to save
money on the medications they need. The nurses' support shows that,
despite the scare campaign against I-SaveRx initiated by the drug
companies and their partners, people who understand health care have
confidence in our program." I-SaveRx
provides more than 26 million residents in four states with access
to lower-priced prescription drugs through a network of more than 60
inspected and approved pharmacies and wholesalers in Canada, the
United Kingdom and Ireland. Consumers in Illinois, Wisconsin,
Missouri and Kansas can look up I-SaveRx prices and start the
enrollment process by calling toll-free 1 (866) ISAVE33
[1 (866) 472-8333] or visiting
www.I-SaveRx.net.
"Seven thousand Illinois nurses
can't be wrong," Emanuel said. "They understand how their patients
suffer when they can't afford their drugs, and these organizations'
support will hasten the day when prescription drugs are affordable
for all Americans. This endorsement, along with the American Medical
Association's importation endorsement last week, adds to the growing
consensus that importation is safe, it's effective, and it's the
right thing to do for Illinois families."
Nurses ranked No. 1 among all
professions in Gallup's annual poll Dec. 7 regarding which
professionals Americans believe are the most honest and ethical.
Nurses have topped the list four out of the five last years.
Registered nurses constitute the single largest profession in the
health care system.
"Nurses are often aware of the daily
problems that patients face, like not being able to afford their
medicine," said Kathleen Perry, president of the Illinois Nurses
Association. "We chose to endorse I-Save Rx because it is an
important step in helping patients across Illinois have access to
affordable drugs."
The Illinois Nurses Association
currently represents over 6,500 registered nurses in Illinois. The
purpose of the association is to improve health standards and
influence the delivery of quality health care services for all
people, foster high standards for nursing, and stimulate and promote
the professional development of nurses throughout Illinois.
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"When our patients can't afford
their medication, blood pressure is not controlled, diabetes becomes
more severe, and bones are unnecessarily broken from osteoporosis,"
said Gail Van Kanegan, president of the Illinois Society of Advanced
Practice Nursing. "The cost to patients escalates from the
complications of advancing disease, medical care costs and
hospitalization. The Illinois Society of Advanced Practiced Nursing
supports the I-SaveRx prescription program because it enables our
patients to lead healthier, safer and more productive lives."
The society represents over 800 of
Illinois' advanced practicing nurses. It is also represents all four
areas of advanced practice nursing: certified nurse practitioners,
certified nurse midwives, certified clinical nurse specialists and
certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Gov. Blagojevich launched I-SaveRx
on Oct. 4 and extended an invitation to other states to join the
program. Participants in the I-SaveRx plan can save an average of 25
percent to 50 percent on the cost of the most common medications
used to treat chronic conditions. For instance, a three-month supply
of the drug Lipitor in 20 mg doses, which is used to treat high
cholesterol, costs an average of $302 in the United States but is
available through I-SaveRx for $203 from Ireland, $214 from the
United Kingdom and $210 from Canada, plus the $15 per order shipping
charge. A three-month supply of Celebrex in 100 mg doses, used to
treat arthritis pain, costs $160 in the United States but only $80
in Ireland, $78 in the United Kingdom and $72 in Canada, plus
shipping.
Residents of Illinois, Wisconsin,
Missouri and Kansas can begin the enrollment process or get more
information by visiting
www.I-Saverx.net or calling toll-free 1 (866) ISAVE33 [1 (866) 472-8333].
The clearinghouse provides users with information on the list of
medications included in the program, prices in each of the three
countries, and enrollment forms and guidance.
[News release from the
governor's office]
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