Nearly <\/span>half of all American adults<\/span><\/a> struggle with dry eyes regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n Restasis is one of only two medications that can treat this medical issue. So, it’s likely that one of your employees will need this drug now or in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, because of the Restasis cost, many people avoid this medication. Read on to learn what makes this drug so expensive and how to help your dry-eyed employees afford it.<\/span><\/p>\n For the occasional red eye, many people can rely on allergy medication or artificial tears to ease their pain. However, some people suffer from a chronic version of this common irritation.<\/span><\/p>\n People with certain medical problems can develop <\/span>Chronic Eye Disease<\/span><\/a>. For example, people over 50 are more prone to get it. These patients may constantly suffer from dry, itchy eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n Without treatment, this condition can cause blurred vision and other eye-related problems. Of course, this can affect your employee’s ability to work.<\/span><\/p>\n At first glance, Restasis may just seem like fancy eye drops. However, this drug functions differently than over-the-counter alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n OTC eye drops may temporarily help dry eyes. Unfortunately, they can also make the eyes dependent on the artificial tears.<\/span><\/p>\n Restasis, on the other hand, helps the eyes produce their own tears. It also reduces inflammation, which is often the underlying cause of the eye problems. But the Restasis cost may keep people from getting this treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n A generic drug<\/span><\/a> contains the same ingredients and provides the same benefits as a name brand drug. Pharmaceutical manufacturers can only make the alternatives when the period of exclusivity ends.<\/span><\/p>\n The period of exclusivity allows drug manufacturers to recoup the money they spent on research and development.<\/span><\/p>\n Restasis also goes by “cyclosporine.” It has <\/span>no approved generic equivalent<\/span><\/a> since it is still in its FDA-sanctioned period of exclusivity.<\/span><\/p>\n That means that Allergan can drive up the Restasis cost and nobody can challenge them with a lower price.<\/span><\/p>\n However, this only applies to the United States. Patents and other pharmaceutical laws are much different around the world. So, Canadian pharmacies can make Restasis cost much less than their American counterparts.<\/span><\/p>\n You may ask yourself the following question: I’ve been seeing Restasis ads forever, so how are they still exclusive?<\/span><\/p>\n The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that Allergan <\/span>used a few shady tactics<\/span><\/a> to keep their exclusive rights to this drug. The major pharmaceutical company gave the rights for Restasis to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.<\/span><\/p>\n In turn, the Native American tribe will exclusively license the rights back to Allergan.<\/span><\/p>\n This move has drawn legal challenges, but that may take years to sort out in the courts. In the meantime, Allergan will continue to exclusive rights and keep driving the Restasis cost up.<\/span><\/p>\n For your employees with chronic dry-eye, this could mean that it will be years before they can afford their prescription unless your insurance covers the cost.<\/span><\/p>\n As a business owner or manager, it’s important to meet your employee’s needs. This applies even when it comes to being able to afford medicine. Not only is it a kind way to treat people, but it’s great for the bottom line.<\/span><\/p>\nWhy Would an Employee Need Restasis?<\/b><\/h2>\n
No Generic Alternative<\/b><\/h2>\n
How Allergan Kept Its Exclusivity<\/b><\/h2>\n
Why Should You Help Employees Afford Restasis?<\/b><\/h2>\n