Treatment Issues, Vol 11, No 3; March 1997
Dave Gilden

Any pharmacy or provider interested in dispensing indinavir can register with Merck. Participating pharmacies will report certain identifying patient information so Merck can continue to monitor and control distribution. This is referred to as "enrolling" patients and is being handled through a subsidiary of Merck called PAID Prescriptions. The participating pharmacy will only receive a month's supply of indinavir for each enrolled patient after transmitting the pertinent information to PAID (via fax, phone or computer network). Pharmacies must also confirm with PAID each month that the patient needs to refill an order before the medication will be shipped (PAID will fax a reminder to the pharmacist).

It is therefore very important to make sure the pharmacist requests the refill in advance so that it will be ready to be picked up when needed.

According to a Merck spokesperson, indinavir will not be going into normal distribution in the foreseeable future. Merck states that special measures are still necessary in order to insure all patients have uninterrupted access to the drug. Although production has increased, supplies must still be closely monitored due to demand in nations where indinavir is newly approved. (Indinavir has been approved in 49 countries to date, the most recent being Albania).

Those patients already enrolled and receiving indinavir through Stadtlander's may continue to do so by simply filling out the monthly refill cards as usual. No one is under any obligation to continue using Stadtlander's, and those who wish to switch will be able to mark a box on the April refill card to that effect. These people should then enroll with another pharmacy and make sure there will be no problems with insurance coverage. A new paper prescription will be required in most cases by the new pharmacy, but doctors will not have to call to enroll patients, as was the case in the past. New patients just beginning indinavir can sign up with their participating pharmacy of choice. Note that there may be a two or three day delay between enrolling and receiving indinavir for the first time.

Anyone who needs help enrolling in the distribution program, locating a participating pharmacy, or obtaining financial assistance should call (888) CRIXIVAN.

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