FDA “Listed” Drugs – A New Hassle

As of 1/1/2010, Medicare beneficiares will face a new hassle at the pharmacy.  How big of a deal will this be?  I honestly don’t know.

But, from their site:

Starting January 1, 2010, if your pharmacy tries to sell you a version of a drug that isn’tlisted with the FDA, your Medicare drug plan might not pay for it. This means you mightgo to the pharmacy where you regularly get your Medicare-covered prescriptions filled, andif the pharmacy stocks only a version of the drug that isn’t listed (and, therefore, your planwon’t cover), the pharmacy may not be able to fill your prescription that day.

Since there are multiple manufacturers of a generic medication, multiple forms (capsule, tablet), and sometimes repackagers, this could complicate things for patients simply trying to fill their medications.  I’m not sure I understand what’s being addressed here.