THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 13, 1994 TAG: 9408120025
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 28 lines
Regarding ``New law opens pharmacy doors'' (news, July 22): Sentara calls this law, which allows people with HMOs to choose their pharmacy, ``anti-competitive and anti-consumer.'' If dictating which pharmacy a person must use is not anti-consumer, as well as anti-competitive, I don't know what is.
It is scary that Jack E. McNamara, the Sentara executive quoted, has no understanding of the value of pharmacists to people. My pharmacist has saved me money on my family's medicine and has caught several medication problems that slipped by doctors.
I am glad that the General Assembly passed the HMO pharmacy-choice law and did not give in to big business. Sentara's hyperconcern about the wellness of its bottom line may be hazardous to our health.
GAYLE L. CURTIS
Chesapeake, July 25, 1994 by CNB