Vet waits for meds, gets help from CFA

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - A local World War II veteran says he's been without the medication his doctor prescribed since August. He blames the VA hospital for the delay. His family says his health is diminishing everyday, so they turned to Problem Solver Susan Hogan for help.

83 year old Ed Ladoucuer from Warwick is a World War II Veteran. He served his country honorably and today, he's fighting another battle. This time, it's with the Veterans Administration Hospital.

Ed says his pulmonologist, who is an outside provider and not a VA physician, recommended he take Spiriva for his breathing issues. But it's an expensive drug.

"It cost me in the private industry $279," he said. Through the VA it is a $9 prescription.

So naturally, Ed wanted to get Spiriva through the VA. But, for this particular drug the VA required approval from a VA physician that this drug was indeed medically appropriate for the patient.

But Ed says he's been waiting since August for an answer from the VA. In the meantime, they did prescribe him an alternative drug, but Ed says it's not working.

Call 12 for Action contacted the VA hospital, but because of privacy laws, they couldn't give us specifics about Ed's case. They admit communication between the patient and staff could have been better.

But the VA also stressed that it has a process in place before dispensing certain drugs.

"As a health care organization we are obligated to respect those guidelines its not always the popular decision and some people don't understand that" said an official from the hospital.

"This is not acceptable. It makes no sense to me that our veterans, the people that make it possible for us to do what we do in America, have to go through these type of situations at 84 years old not get the medication they needed." said Laducuver's son, Ed Jr.

Laducuver did receive Spiriva from the VA. Hospital last week. The VA said that whenever they work with patients who are being seen by more than one outside provider, issues like this do come up. That's why the VA says it's working on improving communications with all parties involved to provide the best care to it's veterans.