Free Drugs From Your Boss?
Well it’s about time! A growing number of employers are starting to offer free drugs to their staff in an effort to prevent costly long-term illnesses and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and depression. Says an article in today’s New York Times,
For years, employers have been pushing their workers to pay more for health care, raising premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses in an effort to save money for the company and force workers to seek only the most necessary care.
Now some employers are reversing course, convinced that their pennywise approach does not always reduce long-term costs.
…
Companies now recognize that “if you get people’s obesity down, cholesterol down, asthma down, you save a lot of money,” said Uwe E. Reinhardt, a health economist at Princeton University.
And, unsurprisingly, the major drug companies are supporting this move — more money for them, and all that.
What do you think about programs that offer free medications to employees? Will it make a difference?
Tags: Depression, Diabetes, drugs, employee, employeer, free, Health, health-care, job, medication, Obesity, Prevention, Public policy, staff, treatment, woman, women, Womens-HealthRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Depression, Diabetes, Health, Prevention, Public policy, Real life, Wellness, Women's Issues
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2 opinions for Free Drugs From Your Boss?
Katharine
Feb 21, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I’m worried about the Big Brother aspects of this scenario. What if an employer told an employee this? “We can’t afford to continue paying part of your insurance premiums unless you reduce your health risk factors by losing weight. You’ll either need to take the free weight-loss meds we’ll provide or find employment elsewhere.”
Susan
Feb 22, 2007 at 2:51 pm
A few months ago I joked with my boyfriend that since he works in pharmaceutical consulting that he should get free samples. I guess someone took that idea and ran with it! I like the concept, although unfortunately it will probably never make its way to the mid-sized non-profits where I work. Here’s my concern, though, do you really want your employer to know you’re on the pill? Or anti-depressants? There’s no shame in either one, but many people like to keep it private.
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