Epilepsy Foundation Issues Emergency Information for Hurricane Refugees Experiencing Seizures

Epilepsy Foundation Issues Emergency Information for Hurricane Refugees Experiencing Seizures

LANDOVER, Md., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a series of recent news reports from the afflicted Gulf Coast, the Epilepsy Foundation today recommended the following steps for people with epilepsy requiring daily medication to prevent seizures and who have been dislocated from areas hard- hit by Hurricane Katrina. Family, friends and relatives are urged to share the vital information below:

* Access to medication can be a life-and-death issue for people with
epilepsy due to the potential for breakthrough seizures when drug levels
in the blood fall below therapeutic levels. Breakthrough seizures can
take the form of non-stop seizures, called status epilepticus, and can
result in neurological damage and disability, and even death. Many
dislocated individuals in the region have neither access to critically
needed seizure medications nor information on how to obtain them.

* The Red Cross, through its local chapters and emergency shelters, is a
primary source of medication assistance. They can help provide access to
medications to meet the immediate needs of affected persons. In some
localities, the Red Cross has arrangements with local clinics where
people can be referred to doctors who will provide needed prescriptions.
If available, individuals should provide the Red Cross disaster health
representatives with prescriptions, physician contact information and
other medical documentation.

* The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is preparing special
instructions for access to emergency medications. We will provide the
instructions as soon as they are released.

* The pharmaceutical industry, which plans to donate and ship desperately
-needed medicines, asked the Federal government earlier this week to do
a public health assessment.

* The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's
pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient
advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients
who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the
public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free
or nearly free. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient
assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. The
website at http://www.pparx.org/ and the toll-free number 1-888-477-2669
offer a single point of access to more than 475 public and private
patient assistance programs, including more than 150 programs offered by
pharmaceutical companies.

* Medco, a major mail order supplier of medications, has made arrangements
with local pharmacies nationwide that will make it easier for its
members who may be dislocated to obtain medication. Medco members with
questions should call the customer service number on the back of their
membership identification card. Dislocated individuals with memberships
in other mail order services should check with their medications service
and area pharmacies to see if there are similar arrangements in place.

* If a dislocated individual has purchased medications through a drug
store chain, the person should go to another location of that chain to
find out if the prescription information is available through the drug
store's computer database. If it is, the prescription can be filled at
the new location.

The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against epilepsy since 1968. The Foundation's goals are to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services. For additional information, please visit http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/.

Source: Epilepsy Foundation

CONTACT: Kimberli Meadows of the Epilepsy Foundation, +1-301-918-3747,
or kmeadows@efa.org

Web site: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/

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