Rachel sent a message to Miles D. White – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abbott Laboratories – Email Address that said:
I'm writing BCBS of IL because I'm hoping they can help me afford my prescription Depakote ER 500mg that I take for epilepsy. I have had insurance through my husband with BCBS PPO of IL for 5 years but I was recently informed that there's a new clause where the member pays the difference when there's an increase in the price of the Depakote and or a decrease in the generic. With insurance and the savings card from Abbott laboratories I've been paying $5 a month, but now it's $293.00 al of the sudden. I've looked at other pharmacies, tried to see if I qualify for patient assistance program and copay assistance but I do not because I have insurance and I was told they are not taking more patients for Depakote for the patient assistance program. I'm at a loss of what I can do because I can't take the generic as I had break through seizures. It appears as if Abbott continues to increase the retail price of this medication and the insurance companies such as BCBS are trying to ignore or supersede what doctors prescribe by refusing to cover more of the cost of a brand name. As if they're saying it's better to go with generic because it saves them money despite the possible health ramifications for the patient. I can't survive without this drug. It helps my seizures so I can function and have a quality of life and there's no way I can afford my medication now. I'm also currently not working because I have epilepsy so it's frustrating situation. Is there anything that Abbott can do to help me? Could I get any Depakote samples in the mean time to get me through until I am able to figure out how to cover the increased cost? I'm really disgusted with the retail cost of this drug because it makes it difficult for people who need it to afford it. I'm currently circulating a petition about this issue as I find it unacceptable that suffering patients who rely on this medication are being price gouged.
