Friday, May 04, 2012

Teach me about the Canadian Forces drug plan

Reading this article, the following description of a drug program the Canadian Forces is considering cutting struck me as odd:
Within government, officials have expressed concern for years about the rising cost of the wildly popular Viagra program, which saw members limited to six of the little blue pills a month — at a cost of between $15 and $22 per pill.
The article gives the impression that the Canadian Forces have a Viagra program that is separate from their ordinary drug plan.  Is this actually the case, or are the numbers quoted above just what happens when you apply the ordinary drug plan to Viagra?

In any case, I think it's inappropriate for Viagra (or any other drug) to get special treatment.  It shouldn't have a special program, it shouldn't be specifically cut back.  Choices of specific medications should be between doctor and patient, and drug plans should cover what the doctor prescribes.  To prioritize or pick on specific drugs because they make someone's inner 12-year-old snicker makes you no better than Arizona

3 comments:

laura k said...

I'm under the impression it's the cost of Viagra under the usual plan.

Most prescription drug plans exclude certain drugs, cover some fully, some partially, and some not at all. That shouldn't affect the doctor-patient relationship or what the doctor prescribes.

I'd like to see everyone covered for all their prescription needs, but there are always going to be exclusions.

impudent strumpet said...

Weird. I'm only familiar with a couple of drug plans, but the ones I'm familiar with either compensate you for a percentage of the cost of anything your doctor prescribes, or a percentage of the cost of the generic equivalent of anything your doctor prescribes.

laura k said...

Really, without any exclusions? That's great. I haven't had any like that.

But even if a drug plan excludes a drug, that doesn't prevent the doctor from prescribing it. Although it obviously makes the plan a lot less helpful for the patient.