Vioxx prescriptions no longer processed

Oct 21, 2004 11:24 AM

With the well-publicized removal from the market of Vioxx, because studies showed an increased risk for cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke, UFT members who have prescriptions for the medication must make alternative arrangements. Express Scripts, the UFT Welfare Fund’s mail-order service, will no longer process orders for Vioxx.

For orders already sent to Express Scripts that have not yet been shipped, the mail-order service will call or write members and ask that they contact their physicians for different prescriptions.

Express Scripts said it will process alternative prescriptions regardless of how recently members filled or refilled a Vioxx prescription.

Physicians may fax alternative prescriptions to the physician fax line of the Express Scripts pharmacy. For information on how this can be done, members should call Express Scripts at the number on the back of their prescription benefits card, 1-800-233-7139.

Merck, the maker of Vioxx, will reimburse members for any unused quantities of Vioxx. Information on reimbursements is available on the company’s Web site, www.vioxx.com, or by calling 1-888-36VIOXX.