Washington Co., WI – Neighbors in Washington County picking up prescriptions may want to pay attention as Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin is adding a Rx of Narcan with every opioid prescribed.
A West Bend woman (name withheld to protect medical privacy) picking up her prescription Monday, December 27, 2021, was surprised to find Narcan in her bag from Walgreens when she got home. She called the pharmacist and was told it was a new policy by Froedtert.
Calls were placed to Froedtert and a statement was forwarded by Sr. Media Relations Specialist Nalissa Wienke.
“As part of a comprehensive approach to managing pain safely for patients across the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, it is recommend providers consider offering naloxone when factors that increase the risk of opioid overdose are present. These factors include dose of opioid prescribed, history of substance use disorder and other patient-specific risk factors. This practice is based on recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”
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We still have quite a few more questions and are awaiting a call back. Answer from Froedtert is below.
The West Bend woman who complained was concerned whether the Narcan information would now go on her medical chart. “I don’t have an opioid or overdose problem… but with it on my chart it makes it look like I might,” she said.
There is also a question of who will be paying for this? The woman is on Medicare, and it came across the billing statement as a $5 copay and insurance would pick up $125.
What if a patient doesn’t have strong insurance or a Rx copay? Will that cost then come out of the patient’s pocket?
There was also the question, if the Narcan prescription is now mandatory tied to all opioids, how will this affect the fentanyl coming across the border?
Click HERE for a list of opioids from Johns Hopkins Medicine
What if a patient doesn’t want the Narcan prescription? Can it be refused? How does a customer know it is being included if they are not made aware of this new policy ahead of time?
Calls have been placed to Froedtert and more information will be posted when details become available.
UPDATE: Froedtert’s statement following list of questions above. “As with any prescribed medication, concerns about barriers or alternatives to filling prescriptions may be discussed with the provider. We are unable to answer any additional questions related to this patient’s case due to HIPAA.” Nalissa Wienke Sr. Media Relations Specialist
