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DEL.ICIO.USBill for epilepsy patients can’t find footing in Senate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Somebody in the Senate call state Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) and tell her what’s happened to her bill.
H.B. 127, one of those rare do-gooder pieces of legislation, would protect people with epilepsy from unsuspected changes in their medication.
It’s endorsed by the Georgia Epilepsy Foundation, and passed the House early this session on a 161-0 vote.
Byrd says her bill would prevent pharmacists from switching the brand of medicine — whether top-shelf or generic — without a physician’s permission.
The bill only applies to epilepsy patients.
Byrd says the minute differences in medicine prescribed by doctors — often recommended by pharmacists, usually to save money — have been found to trigger grand mal seizures in patients .
“With epileptic patients, any change — a slight change — in their medication changes their blood levels and it causes you to seize,” said Byrd, whose mother was epileptic.
A seizure can cost those with epilepsy their drivers license for several months, and and can wreak havoc with employment, Byrd said. About 100,000 Georgians have epilepsy.
While it breezed through the House, the legislator said H.B. 127 has been quietly opposed by health maintenance organizations, pharmacists. And the Georgia Retail Association.
Byrd said those first two organizations fear that the bill could serve as a precedent. “One lobbyist told me this is opening a door for every other kind of medication,” she said.
Comments
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By Claudia
April 19, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
HB 127 is desperately needed to keep those of us on AED’s safe. I can’t be changed from my current medications without careful monitoring directed by my physician. I have fought this fight for over 30 years and know how delicate the balance is. Please senators, wake up and protect those of us with epilepsy. You too may some day be on anti-seizure medications.
By Bill
April 19, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
This bill is critical for patients like me who have suffered dangerous seizures because our medication has been switched by insurers and pharmacists without our knowledge.
It’s happened to me twice, but I know doctors who say, “No, it’s impossible. They can’t do that.” Imagine what it’s like trying to convince politicians against such formidable opposition.
If you are or you know an epilepsy patient, or are just concerned, contact the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia and ask how you can help when the next session starts.
We have Epilepsy, not huge campaign contributions. We need help to be heard; we need so many more voices.
By Bill
April 19, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
This bill is critical for patients like me who have suffered dangerous seizures after having their medication switched by insurers and pharmacists.
It happened to me twice, but I know doctors who still say, “No, that’s impossible. They can’t do that.” Imagine what it takes to convince politicians who believe the same thing.
If you are or know an Epilepsy patient, or are concerned for our safety and yours, contact the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia and ask how you can help when the next session starts.
We have Epilepsy, not campaign contributions. We need so many more voices. I always told myself I would never ask, but now we need help.