Posted At PharmaLive
BY : Arch Stanton
he Recent AARP Bulletin Report on Prescription Drug Costs Oversteps Reality by Suggesting That Medicare Part D Is a Better Deal Than Canadian Drugs. Further Analysis Shows the Report's Claim Is Circumstantial and Misleading to American Seniors
TORONTO, January 04, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- The January, 2006 AARP Bulletin features a report titled Medicare: The New Math that draws a broad but erroneous inference that the new Medicare Part D prescription drug program is a better deal overall than Canadian drugs. Case studies were performed on only 5 patients on various medications, with 4 of the 5 predicted to save more money on the lowest price Medicare plan vs. a Canadian pharmacy. However, after reviewing each example, the pharmacy professionals at ADV-Care (www.adv-care.com or www.PharmacyOnTheNet.com) noticed that the cases featured were contrived by using a "best case scenario" that favored the Medicare plan.
"Declaring that the Medicare insurance program is superior to Canada based on 5 cases is statistically inappropriate and completely unrealistic," says Ramy Attalla, Director of Communications at ADV-Care. "If additional drugs were added to each patient example there would likely be 3 out of 5 enjoying better savings from Canada. The solution for each patient is a moving target that leans either way depending on where they live, what drugs they take and which are covered. Our own analysis of hundreds of patients reveals Canada offers the better deal 75% of the time. That's the reality."
There is another drawback to the AARP report -- the numbers were derived from one or two Medicare plans, when in fact there are hundreds available to seniors throughout the U.S.
"The likelihood of someone picking the least expensive plan is remote," said Robert Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer services group based in Manhattan. "Many people are taking a shot in the dark."
The complexity and confusion surrounding the Medicare program has many American seniors opting for the simplicity of Canadian pharmacies.
ADV-Care pharmacy recognizes that the Medicare prescription drug program may be beneficial to some seniors and therefore a smart solution may involve a combination of Medicare and Canadian drugs.
"When people do the math they quickly realize that Canada can be a stand- alone alternative or a welcome safety-net to the gaps in Medicare coverage. And the real bonus: it's simple and you don't have to deal with rising premiums, forfeiting other Medicare benefits and the typical insurance run- around," adds Attalla.
ADV-Care Pharmacy (www.adv-care.com or www.PharmacyOnTheNet.com) is licensed by the Ontario College of Pharmacists, and has been safely dispensing medications to Canadian & U.S. residents for 6 years. All medications are Health Canada approved and are dispensed by licensed pharmacists.
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