Death from diabetes sparks change, a new law
Original story:
When the CRACKS in the system are big enough to KILL PATIENTS !
AVON LAKE, Ohio — In February, Amy Houdeshell stood by her brother’s tombstone and explained why her brother, Kevin Houdeshell, a diabetic died at just 36 years old.
“He was young, fit, healthy. The pharmacy told him his script had expired and we’re sorry, but we can’t give you anymore. He tried three times to call his doctor’s office and, four days later, he passed away from not having his insulin.”
Fast-forward 10 months.
“I never imagined we would reach so many people with that one little story about my brother,” Houdeshell told WKYC Channel 3 News.
RELATED | Emergency insulin could have saved man’s life
On Tuesday, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed into law legislation that passed unanimously that essentially allows pharmacists to give up to a 30-day supply of even expired prescriptions of life-sustaining drugs.
“No one should have to die because of an expired prescription and can’t get hold of your doctor,” said Amy and Kevin’s parents, Dan and Judy Houdeshell.
The Houdeshell family has worked tirelessly to get this measure signed into law.
They got their wish this year, their second Christmas without Kevin.
Judy read from an old English class paper that Kevin wrote in high school.
“Live your life in the present like every day is your last. This is all about leaving your mark. To leave this world knowing we’ve made a difference, knowing that we will be remembered.”
Judy wiped tears away, looking up from the paper, saying, “…and so this would be what Kevin would have wanted.”
Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland
“Even though Kevin can’t come back, he’s made a mark in this world and he’ll save lives. His legacy,” said Dan Houdeshell.
The Houdeshells say other states, like Florida, Pennsylvania and New York, are following suit.
“We refer to it as Kevin’s Law. The Channel 3 story that you did with Amy in February really got the ball rolling,” said Dan.
“That was unbelievable. We couldn’t believe the response. It was totally overwhelming,” said Judy.
“It took losing my brother to save God knows how many other lives,” said Amy.
Now that HB 188 has been signed into law, it will take a few months before going into effect, and it will be subject to rules from the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy.
Filed under: General Problems
I was wondering the same thing as several others……what is the law on purchasing certain older insulins (i.e. Regular) without a script in Ohio where this patient resided? I looked online but found conflicting info. If it was legal to purchase without a script, I can’t imagine a pharmacist not suggesting this, even if they did not feel comfortable (or store policy did not support) providing the insulin until a new script was written or called into the pharmacy.
What makes me sad is that if he had walked into the ER, they would not have let him go until the episode was under control. He would have walked out with a prescription for insulin. The ER doc may well have put refills on it, knowing what type of med it was. An urgent care would have done it. A minute clinic would have done it. This gentleman, may he rest in peace, had too many options for this to have happened. That being said – I would have refilled his expired insulin prescription. That is within my scope of practice as a pharmacist. “Do no harm.”
This is what I was wondering also. I also don’t understand why his rx was expired, did he not have to take it everyday? At any rate it is tragic that this young man died when he didn’t have to. My heart goes out to his family.
In Ohio do you need a prescription to buy insulin? Most states sell insulin without a prescription. It is an expensive, out of pocket cost, without the ability to bill insurance but when out of medication and no access to doctor it is less expensive than the ER visit.
Until recently in Indiana where I practice, the older insulins were available without prescription but needed one to be covered under the patient’s insurance. The newer ones like Lantus came onto the market requiring a prescription. As of 2014, all insulins now require a prescription in our state regardless of insurance or cash.
Something like insulin I would definitely let it slide and give it to the person
Sometimes you have to let your better judgment supersede the law
Good for OH! It’s very sad that it took the unnecessary death of a patient for a law like this. However I have to wonder how old the RPh was who refused to renew the insulin. As an experienced RPh, I would have gone ahead and renewed it one time and I have done that in my practice past…and kept working on the doctor for the rest of the refills. This was one of the grey areas or ‘Professional decisions” we were taught way back in the day of pharmacy school which I don’t think they teach anymore…it’s all black and white only now right? They have these kids so scared about making any kind of profession decisions these days. I hear about some places giving out ‘bridge supplies’ but only if it’s tablets while insulin, inhalers, nitro tabs which are non breakable packages…’well too bad for you’ is how it comes across….I for one will continue with my Professional decision making for what I consider life necessary non controlled medications (asthma, heart/blood pressure, diabetes, seizure, psych) …I think the pharmacy schools need to go back and re-start teaching that lost art of pharmacy practice.