Access to Medications Is a Health Care Right: Filling Prescriptions Should Not Be a Luxury

In the summer of 2022, my daughter came down with an ear infection after suffering from several different upper respiratory infections that followed an initial infection of COVID-19. Her cough had been ongoing for about six to eight weeks after her COVID-19 infection had resolved. At this juncture, her primary care physician prescribed an inhaler. While this would eventually prove to be ineffective, this was the last-line treatment before a referral to the Ear Nose and Throat physician and a subsequent tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. But, before that chapter of the journey began, I entered the retail pharmacy where I have always filled my prescriptions for my children. Re-imbursement for the inhaler was denied by my insurance. The out-of-pocket cost would be $250.