Gov. Blagojevich meets with East-Central Illinois seniors to promote I-SaveRx and encourage enrollment

DANVILLE - At CRIS Senior Services in Danville, Governor Rod Blagojevich continued his statewide effort to promote the new I-SaveRx program and how it can save Illinois seniors money.  I-SaveRx is the nation's first program that allows individuals and families to purchase safe, less expensive prescription drugs directly from pharmacies in Canada, England, Scotland and Ireland.  Prescription drugs from those countries cost, on average, 25-50% less than the exact same medicines sold here in the United States.

 

"Since we launched I-SaveRx, I've traveled up and down this state explaining how this program can save you money - because you shouldn't have to choose between putting food on the table or being able to afford the medicines that you need," said Gov. Blagojevich.  "So far, we've seen thousands of people interested in signing up for our program and we are proud of that interest. If you think you're paying too much for your prescription drugs, take a look at our program and find out if you can cut your costs in half." 

 

In addition to meeting with seniors in Danville, the Governor also today encouraged seniors in Clinton in Central Illinois to enroll in the program and spoke with hundreds of Chicago area ministers about how to help their church members enroll. The Governor closed out today's tour by meeting with a group of Chicago Aldermen and hundreds of area seniors to discuss how to enroll in I-SaveRx and by speaking to the congregation at Salem Baptist Church.  

 

Since launching the program earlier this month, the Governor has visited Rockford, Rock Island, Decatur, Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, Herrin, Collinsville, Standard and senior centers in four Chicago neighborhoods.

 

To enroll in the plan, an individual must mail or fax a completed health profile form and signed prescription to the I-SaveRx clearinghouse. Once the clearinghouse has received the prescription and health profile form, it will conduct an initial scan for appropriateness using the same drug interaction software used in Illinois pharmacies.  If the prescription passes the interaction test, it will then be turned over to a network physician in the country from which the medication will be dispensed, who will review and re-write the prescription for a local network pharmacy.  The pharmacy will perform a final safety check to comply with local laws and regulations before dispensing the medication.   

 

Only prescription refills are eligible for the program so patients and their doctors have had time to review for unanticipated side effects or interactions. The list of available drugs is limited to those that have been approved by the FDA for use in the United States to treat chronic or long-term conditions, and that cannot spoil during the shipping process.   

 

The medications dispensed through the I-SaveRx program come from network pharmacies that have been inspected and approved by the state. All the pharmacies have agreed to comply with Illinois pharmaceutical standards, and to only dispense drugs that are manufactured for use in Canada, Ireland or the U.K.

 

"Through our program, you can buy the same prescription drugs you use today, but for a lot less money.  I know the big drug companies especially don't like it.  They make a lot of money off of senior citizens just like you.  But I also know that overcharging senior citizens isn't right.  I know that trying to scare and intimidate senior citizens isn't right.  Just about everyone but the FDA and the big drug companies know that," the Governor said.  "And that's why we're going to keep doing what we're doing, and it's why we're going to help you and senior citizens all across this state sign up for our program and start saving money on the high cost of your prescription drugs."