Anarchy Mommy

One of the most searched topics on this blog has been a combo of Lovenox, Pregnancy, and Health Insurance. Frequently searches for “Why doesn’t health insurance cover Lovenox when I’m pregnant?” point here. It breaks my heart.

While I don’t have a definitive answer, at least I can share what is working for our family.

To fill in some back story, during our first pregnancy I developed a large clot in the major vein that runs through your left groin and pelvis. I was hospitalized and prescribed Lovenox, a daily blood thinning shot. Only my health insurances (have had two) did not cover any self administered injectables. No matter how many doctors argued with them.

We were told every time I’m pregnant, the full 9 months and an additional six weeks post partum, I need Lovenox to avoid another clot. But without my insurance covering, the cost is $1200 per month. We don’t have $1200 per month to spare. I mean, unless we cut out pesky little things like shelter and food

I searched for insurance that covered Lovenox, looked for assistance programs, and generally worried about wanting a family but not being able to afford the drugs.

And then came the seniors sites. With health care constituting a major expense to the elderly, and incomes fixed or lowered, seniors with blogs have become really resourceful at finding fresh solutions and sharing experiences. It’s impressive.

What info did I walk away with? Canada!!

Grandma and Grandpa are getting their drugs from Canada. At, like, 30-50% of what they’d pay for the same drug in the US. Not even a generic. The SAME medicine, same manufacturer. Just sold in Canada, where the government dictates to drug companies what they can or cannot charge consumers. So hypothetically the company spends less money on, say, prime time television ads of couples in bathtubs and Brooke Shields growing eyelashes with a pill (yikes) and puts it’s funds toward getting people the life sustaining prescriptions they need at prices they can reasonably pay.

Only difference is Lovenox has a different brand name in countries other than the US. It’s called Clexane. But it’s still made by the same manufacturer, Sanofi Aventis. And it’s the same exact medication, enoxaparin.

The price? My thirty day supply of 40mg prefilled syringes, $369 with shipping. Versus $1200 at our local US drug store. Huge difference, and a solution that didn’t seem impossible.

Ok, better price, same drug. But is it legal? The answer…I don’t know. But I do know that Lovenox/Clexane is the medicine prescribed by my doctor to save me from a stroke, pulmonary embolism, and death during pregnancy. And it is disturbingly expensive in the United States. So I choose to buy from Canada.

And, honestly, I don’t want to sound like I’m taunting authority but I doubt most politicians and government officials are interested in pursuing cases where people are being forced to choose between homelessness and medications they need to survive. Doesn’t make for good press to prosecute Grandmas and pregnant mommies who could die without these drugs.

(both prefilled syringes are the drug enoxaparin – foreground is branded Clexane, back one is branded Lovenox)

How did it work for me?

I got a prescription for Lovenox from my US doctor. Then went to the Canadian pharmacy’s website and placed my order. They have you fill in your info and print out a form where you attach your prescription and either fax or mail it to them (I faxed it). Once the Canadian pharmacy receives your prescription they review it and a Canadian doctor writes a new, Canadian prescription (I think that’s their law) for you. Then they start the shipment process and charge your credit or debit card.

My first experience was good. They tell you to allow for something like three weeks for your order to arrive. Mine took about 10 days from the time I placed the order to the box arriving at the door. A few of those days were a delay in the faxed US prescription getting to them, and then 4 days the box was in US Customs.

Using a Clexane shot for the first time, I was happy to find the needle to be sharper than the Lovenox ones. Which, while it sounds gnarly, actually makes for a less painful injection. The needle goes in easier and with much less force. It took me some time to get used to the plunger in the syringe. It has a visible coiled spring inside, which made me fear it would go down quickly on it’s own (I prefer to do the shots slow and steady). Luckily, I was wrong, you can regulate how quickly to push. The only downside is I have to remember to push hard at the end and make sure the plunger is allll the way down to get every drop into my system. Otherwise a little is left over.

Clexane stings just as badly as Lovenox. But that’s to be expected, as they’re the same drug just given a different name. To-may-toe, To-mah-toe

The company I’ve been using is CanadaDrugs and I love them. Their telephone-based customer service people have bent over backwards more than once to help.

This is what’s working for our family. I’m not sure if it’s legal for me, and certainly can’t say whether it’s legal for you. Research and get advice. Only you can weigh the benefits and risks and decide what’s best for your family.

I am not receiving any compensation for linking to CanadaDrugs.

Wishing you and your family health and happiness!