The Consumer Federation of the Southeast
Arms Floridians with a Complimentary Tool
to Help Manage Their Health Care

Health, Consumer Groups distribute wallet cards to help consumers avoid becoming victims of prescription "Drug Switching"

December 15, 2009

As Washington debates the future of health care in America, the Consumer Federation of the Southeast (CFSE) is taking steps to arm Floridians with the necessary tools to manage their prescription drugs, potentially saving lives.

The Consumer Federation of the Southeast developed the new consumer wallet card in response to a growing trend being used by insurance companies called "therapeutic substitution" or "therapeutic switching." This cost-cutting strategy replaces brand name prescription medications with generic substitutes.

The new CFSE wallet cards will help Floridians be better informed about their prescription drugs the next time they visit their local pharmacy.

"Many times the practice of drug switching happens at the pharmacy counter and may confuse the average consumer causing them to make uninformed decisions that could be harmful to their health," said Walter Dartland, executive director of the Consumer Federation of the Southeast. "We hope the new wallet cards will help consumers be better informed when they visit their pharmacy."

The wallet card helps remind consumers how to avoid becoming a victim by providing a list of five simple questions they should ask their pharmacist when presented with the option to switch their prescription to a different medication.

Kim D'Orsey and her husband Matthew didn't think twice about switching from his name brand epilepsy medication to a generic version when the pharmacists said they could save money on their co-pay, but that decision cost Matthew his life.

"I learned too late that generic anti-seizure medications are not always identical to the brand label and it gradually threw off his blood levels. Had we not made that decision, he would be with us today and our children would have a father," said D'Orsey. "I'm thankful these cards are being made available to encourage people to think twice before changing medications just because their health plan or pharmacist suggests a switch."

Over the next few months 10,000 wallet cards will be distributed to consumers through community partners including Community Health Charities and Florida CHAIN.

"We hope these cards will help consumers make informed decisions about their prescription drugs by encouraging them to ask questions if anyone tries to switch their medications," said Gwen Cooper, CEO of Community Health Charities.