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The 80-year-old Holmen, Wis., woman took action on her own the past few months by buying three prescription drugs from a Canadian online pharmacy. She has saved $140 and expects to save about $600 a year on three drugs, including one for glaucoma.
"We're on a fixed income but not bad off like some older people," Smith said. "But it was outrageous what drug companies were charging for drugs in the United States. We were tired of it and decided to check out the Internet. We saved at least 40 percent, and we're satisfied so far."
Smith praised Wisconsin's prescription drug site, which was unveiled Wednesday and offers access to cheaper Canadian prescription drugs for a savings as much as 50 percent. The state-run site received more than 80,000 hits Wednesday.
"It's about time seniors have access to cheaper drugs, and I think it's going to help a lot of people," she said.
She said she had to fill out some forms and provide a prescription. "There was no problem, and I got my drugs in nine days," Smith said.
Still, Smith said she is cautious about ordering drugs online. She said she isn't sure she would order drugs for heart disease or diabetes if she had the serious medical conditions. "I still have some concerns."
Noreen Kuroski, director of the La Crosse County Aging Unit, said she is not getting calls about the new Web site because most seniors don't own their own computers.
"Prescription drugs are a big issue for seniors along with messing with Medicare, and I think you'll see family members helping seniors get their drugs online," Kuroski said. "Savvy seniors who have computer access are out there getting drugs from Canada."
La Crosse County senior nutrition sites don't have computers available for use, she said. But some aging units in northern Wisconsin have sponsored bus trips for seniors to buy drugs in Canada, Kuroski said.
"Seniors need to be smart consumers and shop around," she said.
Kuroski said she gets many calls from seniors complaining about high prescription drug costs. "Many worry about the costs and paying their bills," she said. "Some cut their medications in half to save money, and some can't pay their rent or have trouble paying for groceries after paying for their drugs."
When she worked for Monroe County's aging unit, Kuroski said, she knew a man who paid more for his prescription drugs than his rent. "He had trouble paying his other bills and buying food," she said. "It's a sad statement about our society."
Kuroski said President Bush and Congress have failed seniors on the issue of affordable prescription drugs. "This will be a big issue in the presidential election," she predicted.
Terry Rindfleisch can be reached at trindfleisch@lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8227.
