Why Mail-Order Prescription Drug Services are Worth Fighting For

Mar 21, 20233 min read

Recently, the Oklahoma Board of Pharmacy (the government body charged with regulating pharmacies) passed a series of new regulations regarding how prescription drugs can be sent through the mail. These new regulations are contained in a proposed rule, which can be rejected or approved by the Legislature. This particular proposal is alarming, as it includes a series of new costly mandates about the packaging drugs can be mailed in as well as temperature controls governing how those packages can be stored and shipped.

Some independent pharmacists are pushing for the new rule, arguing it is necessary for safety reasons; however, it appears the real motive is adding costly and burdensome regulations to delivery services offered by larger pharmaceutical chains. While the pharmacy lobby argues these are safety precautions, there is no evidence suggesting that Oklahomans are receiving unsafe products through the mail. Furthermore, if the proposed rules were truly aimed at increasing safety, then regulators would be looking at rules across the entire distribution chain. For instance, there is no requirement to force manufacturers of prescription drugs to implement the same packaging procedures when they ship their products to warehouses or pharmacies. Rather, the proposed rule focuses only on the shipping of the drug directly to consumers.

The new rule thus will not increase safety; but what it would certainly do is increase costs of mail-order deliver services; in fact, the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce estimates costs will rise by $23 per package. That is a significant cost increase that would make mail-order services unaffordable and impractical for many Oklahoma patients and consumers.

Undercutting mail-order delivery services may be a good business move for some independent pharmacists; however, it’s bad public policy and comes at the ultimate expense of patients and consumers. Below are many reasons why so many Oklahomans utilize mail-order delivery of drugs, and why those services are worth fighting for.

Cost Savings

One of the biggest advantages that come with using mail-order prescription drug services is that they can save patients money. Since patients don't have to pay for a pharmacy trip, the cost of medications can be significantly lower than if one purchased them at a traditional pharmacy. Additionally, some mail-order services offer generic versions of brand name drugs, which can also provide additional savings.

Ensuring Accessibility for All

While mail-order pharmacy services are generally more convenient for everyone, the ability to have Rx drugs delivered to your front door is particularly beneficial for individuals with health, mobility, transportation, or location-related limitations. Historically underserved populations, such as rural communities and seniors, can greatly benefit from the increased accessibility provided by these mail delivery services.

Encourages Timely Medication Intake

Using mail-order prescription drug services also encourages people to take their medications in a timely fashion. When medications are delivered directly to the patient’s door, it eliminates any excuses for not taking them (e.g., forgetting or running out). Mail-order delivery ensures that people get the treatment they need without any delays or interruptions in care, and oftentimes at a more affordable price.

The bottom line is that mail-order prescription drug delivery services offer numerous benefits, including cost savings, convenience, and better health outcomes—especially for those living with disabilities who require ongoing care and treatment.

Using big government levers to try and eliminate or hamstring these services is bad for Oklahomans and pushes our health care and Rx drug services in the wrong direction. We’re asking lawmakers to reject this proposed rule and protect this important medication delivery option for Oklahoma patients and consumers.

With all this in mind, we are asking concerned Oklahomans to contact the members of the House and Senate Administrative Rules committees and to reject the Board of Pharmacy’s proposed mail-order Rx delivery rule.

You can find their names and contact information below.

House Administrative Rules

Gerrid Kendrix, District 52

405-557-7369

gerrid.kendrix@okhouse.gov

Denise Crosswhite Hader, District 41

(405) 557-7321

denise.crosswhitehader@okhouse.gov

Nicole Miller, district 82

405-557-7357

nicole.miller@okhouse.gov

Amanda Swope, District 71