Americans are resorting to taking medications prescribed for their pets, including antibiotics and painkillers, in order to save money on prescriptions. This practice has raised concerns among doctors, who warn of potential organ damage and even death due to the risks involved. The cost of pet medications is significantly lower than human equivalents, leading some individuals to use their pets' prescriptions to self-treat various conditions. However, this practice is illegal and poses serious health risks, as animal medications may contain components harmful to humans and may not effectively treat human health issues.
Amazon Pharmacy is simplifying insulin savings by automatically applying coupons to prescriptions ordered through its service. The digital pharmacy displays pricing with and without insurance, along with potential savings "with coupon if eligible." For uninsured patients, Amazon estimated a 28-day supply of generic insulin at $56.40, but the price dropped to $35 after logging in. Manufacturer medication coupons are not available to those on state or federal healthcare programs. This move has been praised by the American Diabetes Association as an important action to improve access to diabetes treatments.
States are resuming eligibility reviews for Medicaid coverage, which could result in millions of people losing their coverage. Hospitals are concerned about covering the costs of uninsured patients, while insurers may lose money managing state Medicaid programs. Industry groups are working with federal regulators, patient advocacy groups, and state Medicaid offices to inform beneficiaries about steps they can take to avoid losing coverage or secure other types of health insurance.
