Re: Formerly Formulary: Charm them with knowledge

[Ivan M Suzman <cureit@xxxxxxxx>]

Barb, Art,  Marge, and folks,

Art Hirsch writes, in part:

>Second, should an HMO be able to reclassify a
> drug as
> > non-formulary in a unilateral action?


  I think it is rather scary that an HMO may
have the temerity, not to mention the power,
to restrict any patient's potential use of approved
medications that are prescribed for PD.


  The difficulties of finding the best possible
balance of medications to "outwit" PD
ought to be left unhindered.  Managing PD
requires using its own unique assortment of remedies,
and options should not be restricted.

  I often find that it takes PWP's themselves, along
with other voices, to change supposedly fixed policies.

   Art, if your friends are not individually audible enough, consider
bringing a portable microphone or speaker with you,
if you think any PWP's usual voice cannot be heard WELL,
in normal conversation in a meeting.

  I  imagine that  a solution to Art's dilemma
with ropinerole (Requip) lies in  exactly who talks to
the HMO. Art, if you can find  local PWP's
who are pharmacists, or physicians,  and
several articulate patients who use Requip,
 to talk to and/or write the HMO,
I would hope things would change quickly.

Barb, now that I am 50, my techniques FINALLY
tend to include  more discretion and subtletly at the outset!
I would rather charm my opponents with honey,
"mallutizing" the HMO, with the stylishness
of a Hollywood star...which I fully anticipate
becoming by age 55!!

Ivan
:-)  50/39/36

On Sun, 16 Apr 2000 13:09:59 -0400 Barb_MSN <Barb_MSN@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
writes:
> Art,....
>
> Margie's given some good suggestions, and I would like to suggest
> one more "weapon" to arm yourself with in this unequal battle
> against both PD AND the drugstore.
>
> I suggest you "IVANIZE <smiling> , which is my term for an all out
> "circle-the-wagons-battle!