Whether there are pharmacy supply chain or transportation troubles, there are numerous barriers outside of a patient’s control that can prevent them from picking up medication in a timely manner. These issues become especially poignant in the postoperative setting. Each delayed dose represents another potential setback in overall recovery. It is therefore vital to ensure that Wisconsin law clearly reflects the vital need of patient’s to easily access their topical medication at home for postoperative use.
The current statute (Chapter Med 17 – Standards for Dispensing and Prescribing Drugs) allows a general framework for the prescription of medication by physicians. However, it creates a significant amount of ambiguity that does not pair well with topical medications frequently utilized in surgical ophthalmological practice. The key issue is that it does not address dispensing of the unused portion of an already opened bottle that has already been administered to a patient during the surgical process. The Topical Medication Waste Reduction Act spearheaded by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Wisconsin Academy of Ophthalmology provides an opportunity to address this issue.
Current efforts have focused on surveying pharmacies across all 72 counties in Wisconsin regarding access to topical medications including corticosteroids, NSAIDs, cycloplegics, and antibiotics as well as glaucoma medications. An initial 300 pharmacies from 71 counties covering both rural and urban patient populations show that all surveyed pharmacies may have up to 1 day delay in at least one type of topical medication. Beyond that, nearly 75% of surveyed pharmacies may have a delay of 2 or more days in at least one type of medication. This timing is crucial, especially when up to 33% of patients may not pick up electronically prescribed medications within one month of refill requests for known chronic issues.1
This potential gap represents a clear opportunity to clarify Wisconsin statute and empower our patients. I am continuing to survey pharmacies across the state to ensure the most complete data possible. I am also fortunate to have fantastic partners including Prevent Blindness Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Academy of Ophthalmology. Together, we can continue to advocate for our patients and improve medication access.
Matt Schulgit, MD, MS
matthewschulgit@gmail.com
1Oke I, Badami A, Kosteva KL, Wu K, Desai MA. Systemic Barriers in Receiving Electronically Prescribed Glaucoma Medications. J Glaucoma. 2022 Oct 1;31(10):812-815. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002100. Epub 2022 Aug 10. PMID: 35980860; PMCID: PMC9530008.
