Reactine covered by ODSP?

[Sayge]

Since moving into my AWESOME new place, I've discovered my allergies
have kicked up a stink again.. the 10mg OTC stuff isn't working and at
one point I was on Reactine and it was covered.. is it still or was it
a victim of the medication chopping block?

[Atb]

Unfortunately you're a victim of formulary changes, as no
antihistamines are covered under ODB. If you want to know if a
medication is covered (without going through the EAP) you can go to
https://www.healthinfo.moh.gov.on.ca/formulary/index.jsp & search the
online formulary. If it says it's a benefit & isn't a limited use drug
then anyone can get it. If it says it's a limited use drug then your
doctor has to put a special LU code on the prescription (the doc can
only put a LU code if you qualify for the specific problem that LU
code is for).

If there's a drug that isn't covered under the formulary that you need
your doctor can fill out a exceptional access program form & they
might cover it if they feel they like it.

Sorry I can't give you better news.

ATB

[Uppity Woman]

I don't know if doctors get samples of Reactine, but if they do maybe yours will give you some. My doctor has been giving me samples of Singulair for quite some time now because ODSP won't cover it and it's expensive.   Uppity    -------Original Message-------

[Atb]

That's right Uppity, I had forgotten about that option. Years ago, my
doctor wanted to try me on claritan (sp?) but it wasn't covered so he
gave me a few boxes of samples (samples often have coupons too) to
take home.

Also despite the fact that it's not really allowed some doctors have
their patients bring left over meds to them so they can redistribute
them to patients who don't have insurance/can't afford their
medications. I've encountered a few psychiatrists & two other
specialists who do the redistribution thing.

I'm not sure if Trillium covers antihistamines but that's another
option.

Also I know you can find coupons online for benadryl. If you try hard
you can probably find enough different types of coupons for benadryl
that you get it for free, close to free or you're even paid to take it
out of the store (it might take a bit of time to collect them all). I
know that option works because I just purchased & then donated about
50 bottle of advil because I had 6 different coupons that meant I got
paid about $100 (after the cost of the advil). I used the credit to
buy various things including 30 4lt bags of filtered milk (15 for me/
15 to donate) for $1 each (+3 different $1 off coupons) & each had (I
think) $20 in coupons on the bags for another time. Yeah, I'm a little
nutty but I got into couponing because I couldn't afford to eat, much
less eat healthy. Since then I've really started to enjoy it even
though I can't do as well as the people on TV in the USA & I enjoy
being able to contribute wherever I can.

The last option I can think of is contacting companies that make the
drug or a generic form of the drug & asking for donations. Many if not
most drug companies have programs for providing drugs to low income
people for free, your doctor will probably (but not always) need to
fill out a form then the company sends you or the doctor the meds. At
the very least the company should be able to send you lots of coupons
our rebates to decrease the cost.

Good luck, I hope you find a way to get it.

ATB

[Atb]

I know the one thing I didn't mention is you have to be willing to
swallow your pride to contact most of these resources & acknowledge
that you can't afford the cost but at least in my mind my health is
far more important then the hit to my pride by asking for help. I know
it's hard to swallow one's pride & admit we don't have the money to
buy our meds but most of these people are used to hearing the various
struggles many have & are happy to be able to help you.

ATB