Mail order drugs

[allanq]

My insurance company is going to make it very expensive for me if I don't order my HIV drugs through their mail order pharmacy. I'm with Anthem Blue Cross, and their pharmacy is NextRx.

I've been getting my drugs for the past 20 years from a retail pharmacy that has been great. They know me well, and they go out of their way to ensure that I get my meds in time. So I'm not thrilled about having to rely on an anonymous mail order operation.

One question I have is how they deal with shipping Norvir, which has to be refrigerated.

Last August, I ordered vitamins that were delivered by UPS. When I picked up the package, it felt like it had just come out of the oven. It must have been baking all the way from Texas to the Bay Area. I wouldn't want that to happen to my HIV drugs.

Has this been a problem for anyone receiving their drugs by mail?

Thanks.

Allan

[Dennis]

I have received Norvir via mail order in the past via Medco. It was shipped with frozen jell packs in a styrofoam cooler. Never had a problem with them arriving warm.

[pozniceguy]

Allen  I get all my  meds from on line ... Express scripts....  the packages come in well insulated bubble packs  with ice packs or if there are many items in the summer months when real hot they come in a  foam cooler chest with many ice blocks in them.  I have a huge collection of all sizes of ice packs like you put in beer coolers... never had a problem with any damage....  have supplied several neighbors with cooler chests and ice packs....

dont know about your company policies...but mine gets 3 moths supply for the same copay as one month from the pickup pharmacy

Nick

[allanq]

Thanks, Dennis and Nick. I feel better now about switching to the mail order pharmacy. This is only for my HIV meds, which NextRx calls "specialty drugs." So I'll still be seeing the friendly people at my local pharmacy for my seven other prescriptions.

Allan

[Buckmark]

One question I have is how they deal with shipping Norvir, which has to be refrigerated.

Last August, I ordered vitamins that were delivered by UPS. When I picked up the package, it felt like it had just come out of the oven. It must have been baking all the way from Texas to the Bay Area. I wouldn't want that to happen to my HIV drugs.

Has this been a problem for anyone receiving their drugs by mail?

My insurance requires me to use a mail-order pharmacy (Medco) for all of my "long-term" medications.  I too was concerned about having my meds be exposed to hot temperatures in transit to my home, or even when sitting in my mailbox until I get home room work.  I live in Texas, it's *hot* here for a significant portion of the year:  easily over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and not uncommonly over 100 (*groan*). 

I called Medco and told them I wanted my meds shipped in a temperature-controlled packages (e.g. a bubble-wrapped bag or box with "cool packs").  At first they balked.  I had to be very persistent.  Providing them with the label information stating that the drug must remain within a certain temperature range certainly helped.  Now Medco ships my meds in temperature-controlled packages every time.  It's all pretty convenient, honestly.

Regards,

Henry

[decayingsinner]

I also get my meds through express scripts and I have to tell you, it sure takes a lot of hassle out of getting the meds.  I couldn't imagine any other way.  The website lets me know when I can re-order meds, if I needs a new subscription they will contact the doctor to get a new order and usually have all of my meds (HIV  and anti-depressants) within a week.  I can't imagine any other way.

[leatherman]

the packages come in well insulated bubble packs  with ice packs ...  I have a huge collection of all sizes of ice packs like you put in beer coolers....  have supplied several neighbors with cooler chests and ice packs....

those cold packs save me from ever buying ice to pack my cooler chest.

The bubble packs I get are mylar, which after removing the KEEP REFRIGERATED sticker can be used to wrap presents. Just drop a present inside, slap a bow on (especially if you can't get all the sitcker off), seal the top and say Happy Birthday or Merry Christmas.