Letter to Governor Murphy and NJ Consumer Affairs

Dear Governor Murphy,

I’ve been made aware by my physician that you are looking to do away with paper prescriptions, which is not a safe idea. Not only are you putting doctors in a straight jacket in performing their job, but you are also jeopardizing patients. I’m a perfect example of this. Being new to the world of medicare and finding myself in a position of prescription drug shopping is an understatement. I did not fill a medication today because it was simply way too expensive. I now have to run to several pharmacies just to get the best price. Because prices vary very much it’s an undertaking and I’m not talking about saving pennies. Fortunately, I am not destitute, but I am on a fixed income during a time when everything is costly. I am thinking about other people who simply can’t afford to buy a dozen eggs.

Doing away with paper prescriptions will not solve the opiate problem we are now facing. You have to dig in deeper for a resolution on that one. Paper prescriptions allow a patient to go to the pharmacy of their choosing and pay the best price available. It also allows people to travel and get a refill wherever they may be so doctors need not be called or chased down. Also, doctors do not need to be slowed down doing their work or waiting to put in a prescription because the internet is down.

What you think is a good idea isn’t and it’s not going to fix the problem you think it might. If you lived your life as an ordinary senior citizen or better yet a doctor you would know better than to think discarding paper prescriptions is a good idea.

Please give my letter some serious consideration.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Elaine Runyon RN