Pharmacists overwhelmed at new Medicare drug program -- Newsday.com

Pharmacists overwhelmed at new Medicare drug program -- Newsday.com: "Pharmacists overwhelmed at new Medicare drug program


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January 8, 2006, 12:08 PM EST

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) _ The start of the Medicare prescription drug plan for seniors has been difficult for pharmacists in Connecticut.

Pharmacists are helping bewildered beneficiaries, dispensing medications at their own expense and are working out problems with overwhelmed insurance plans. The program began Jan. 1.

'This has been catastrophic,' said Frederick Vegliante, 77, a pharmacist and former owner of Bella Vista Pharmacy and Surgical Supplies Inc. in New Haven.

'The program was very badly planned. In reality we're not legally bound to fill prescriptions that are not paid for. But are we going to turn down a 90-year-old woman?' he asked."