AAKP Requests Open Formulary for Kidney Patients Under New Medicare Prescription Drug Program

TAMPA, Fla.October 12, 2004 – In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) requested Medicare members with impaired kidney function – chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) – be provided an “open formulary” under the new Medicare prescription drug program.

“Kidney patients need an open formulary under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. This means patients would receive prescribed drugs at preferred prices without formulary restrictions. The logic is simple: prescribing any drug for kidney patients is a delicate task. Many drugs are ‘nephrotoxic’ and can worsen kidney damage. In addition, many kidney patients take multiple medications, requiring careful attention to preventing adverse interactions. Only with an open formulary can physicians properly manage kidney disease patients,” said AAKP President Brenda Dyson.

On Aug. 3, CMS published, in the Federal Register, proposed rules for the new Medicare prescription drug program (Click here ), which will become effective Jan. 1, 2006.

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for 35 years, has been dedicated to improving the lives of fellow kidney patients and their families by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. The programs offered by AAKP inform and inspire patients and their families to better understand their condition, adjust more readily to their circumstances and assume more normal, productive lives in their communities.