ACS CAN Calls for Passage of Legislation to Make It Easier for Cancer Patients and Others to Access their Medications

HARRISBURG, PA – October 16, 2018 – The Pennsylvania Senate is scheduled to vote on HB 1800 this week. If passed and enacted, this bill would require medication synchronization, which allows patients to receive their medications on the same day each month, instead of forcing them to make numerous trips to the pharmacy to pick up all their prescriptions. This legislation would help patients—especially the elderly—that rely on public transportation. It has already passed the House of Representatives.

Diane Phillips, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Pennsylvania government relations director said:

“On behalf of all Pennsylvanians being treated for cancer I call on our State Senate to pass this crucial legislation.

“Many times, a combination of drug therapies is needed to treat cancer and relieve symptoms from the disease, as well as side-effects from treatment. Forcing patients to visit their pharmacy several times each month and requiring multiple drug copays can be a significant barrier to care. Medication synchronization can increase adherence to treatments and improve the quality of life for cancer patients by making it possible for patients to visit the pharmacy only once per month.  Medication synchronization is already law in 35 states.

“It is estimated that 21 percent of Americans use three or more medications and 10 percent take five or more medications. A study by Harvard Medical School found that when medications were not synchronized, patients had adherence rates that were more than 8 percent lower than patients for which medications were synchronized.

“I urge our lawmakers to support HB 1800 as a positive step towards patient-centered, coordinated care that can improve quality of life for cancer patients and their families.”

About ACS CAN
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org