Jim,
I have been taking Plavix since my heart attack in 2006. All of my arteries were blocked at least 95%. I have 4 stents. My civilian heart doctor wants me to take Plavix.I do not have a VA heart doctor. I have a 70% VA rating due to diabetes and IHD caused by Agent Orange. Since I have a 70% rating,all of my meds are free.My Plavix is free too thru the VA. My wife is disabled too. Her meds cost here more than here monthly disability check. I just read on another one of your sites that the VA will no longer pay for Plavix.I can not afford to pay the $200.00 per month out of my pocket since my wife is disabled too. What is the VA doing? Thank you.
Reply:
It's likely you meet criteria to have VA furnish your medicine.
The clinical criteria requirements are here:
http://www.pbm.va.gov/clinicalguidance/criteriaforuse.asp
VA will not supply any medicine if you don't meet criteria. Plavix (Clopidogrel) isn't only expensive, it carries significant risk...mostly the risk of serious bleeding. That you have 4 stents will probably be enough to get your primary care doctor to prescribe it although you may be pushed to have a VA cardiologist evaluate you.
The good news is that in November of 2011 Clopidogrel will be available as a generic and may be available as one of the Walmart low cost drugs.
Take your prescription to your VA primary care doctor as soon as you can or get in to see a VA pharmacist at your clinic.
You may want to print that document and have your cardiologist have a
look at it and agree that you meet those criteria.