Home / Health / Arthritis Patient's $60K Meds Crisis Averted by News Report
Arthritis Patient's $60K Meds Crisis Averted by News Report
24 Jun
Summary
- Photographer faced losing vital arthritis medication.
- An application error led to a $60,000 annual drug cost.
- Media intervention quickly resolved the access issue.
A photographer, Jim Rice, who relies on his dexterity for his craft, recently faced a critical shortage of his arthritis medication. Rice, who captures images of musical legends, was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, which affected his hands. He had been receiving his medication, Otezla, for free through a drug manufacturer's assistance program due to his income.
However, an error on his tax return incorrectly inflated his earnings, disqualifying him from the program. Despite rectifying the mistake and seeking help from doctors and a patient advocate, Rice was denied coverage and could not afford the medication's full price of $60,000 annually. With only a two-week supply remaining, he reached out to news media.
After his story was reported, the drug manufacturer's Safety Net Foundation intervened, sending him a three-month supply valued at $15,000 overnight. They also approved him for the entire year, apologizing for the oversight. Rice expressed profound gratitude for the assistance, which ensured he could continue his work.
