Issue 15 July 2003
MAP Helps to Provide Over $4.4 Million to Transplant Recipients   Inhaled Steroids vs. Leukotriene-Receptor Antagonists for Asthma
MAP Helps to Provide Over $4.4 Million to Transplant Recipients
The Medication Access Program (MAP) is a statewide program, available at no cost, for solid-organ transplant recipients in Georgia that offers information about programs that can increase transplant recipients’ accessibility to medications (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, pharmaceutical manufacturer-sponsored medication assistance programs). The mission of MAP is to increase access to medications for solid-organ transplant recipients who reside in the State of Georgia. In addition to identifying medication assistance programs, MAP also provides assistance to transplant recipients in the enrollment process necessary to participate in these programs. MAP is available through a grant from the Carlos and Marguerite Mason Trust and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy.

Financial circumstances resulting from a lack of insurance for medication coverage may force transplant recipients to become noncompliant with medications. Noncompliance with immunosuppressants and other critical transplant medications may lead to organ rejection, increased health care cost, and decreased quality of life. MAP provides information about and enrollment services into assistance programs concerning immuno-suppressant medications and other medications for concomitant disease states that may develop in transplant recipients. These disease states include, but are not limited to, hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary diseases, and lipid disorders. Additionally, MAP is a valuable resource to healthcare professionals and transplant recipients by providing the most up-to-date information regarding available medication assistance programs.

From October 1999 through June 2003, MAP has aided over 360 Georgia solid-organ transplant recipients. Through MAP’s services, these recipients have received over $4.4 million in medications, based on average wholesale prices. We encourage all transplant recipients and healthcare professionals to contact MAP. MAP personnel may be reached Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM by calling (706) 721-0131 or
1-800-736-2273 ext. 0131.


Inhaled Steroids vs. Leukotriene-Receptor Antagonists for Asthma
As a result of a systematic review of several randomized controlled trials in which antileukotrienes were compared with inhaled glucocorticoids for single agent mild-to-moderate asthma treatment, patients treated with antileukotrienes were 60% more likely to have exacerbations that required systemic steroid therapy. In addition to having significantly greater improvements in forced expiratory volume and morning peak expiratory flow rates, inhaled glucocorticoid users had fewer nocturnal awakenings, more days without symptoms, and required less use of rescue bronchodilators. Although the risk of side effects was similar between the two groups, antileukotriene users were approximately 2.5 times more likely to withdraw from the study due to poor asthma control. For further details, see article in BMJ 2003; 326:621-623.

 



  
The MAP newsletter is published quarterly to present topics of interest to the transplant
community. If you would like to submit material to be considered for publication in the
newsletter, please contact MAP at:
Medication Access Program
University of Georgia at the Medical College of Georgia
Clinical Pharmacy Program
CJ-1020
Augusta, Georgia 30912-2450
(706) 721-0131 or 1-800-736-2273 ext. 0131
E-mail - map@mapuga.com
The Medication Access Program is a statewide program for solid-organ transplant patients in Georgia that offers information about medication assistance programs and helps with the enrollment into these programs.