Inmate Prescription Medications: How do I get the doctor to keep prescribing my meds while I’m in jail?

Inmate Prescription Medications: How do I get the doctor to keep prescribing my meds while I’m in jail?

If you take maintenance prescription medications, you should know that while the jail is legally responsible to see to your medical needs, it does not have to provide the exact same medications as you are used to taking. Jails hand out the cheapest they can find. Understanding the system can help you get around it in some cases. Narcotics won’t happen: There are people with cancer in county jails who are not receiving narcotic medication in general population. Due to the high number of drug addicts who are incarcerated, most county jails place a complete, non-negotiable ban on all narcotics. If you are on maintenance narcotic pain medication, speak to your doctor before going to jail. He or she may decide to switch you to a non-narcotic pain medication. Be up front: Tell your doctor these truths - You are going to jail For how long For what charge Anticipated release date Who will represent you for needed appointments (for example a wife or sister):In speaking with your doctor, let him or her know that you are concerned about your maintenance medications. Ask if a prescription can be written for one year. Give assurances that you will be monitored in the jail and the medication will be doled out to you on a daily basis. Jails don’t allow inmates to hold their own medications. Medical Reasons: Tell your doctor that due to the cost of medication, if you don’t receive a prescription from him or her, the jail will switch you to the cheapest medication available, which may not be as effective. If your doctor agrees to give you a one-year prescription, go ahead and put it in the pharmacy so your designated representative can pick it up once a month. Ask for a letter: Request a letter from your doctor that details what he or she has prescribed and exactly how the medication should be taken. Most jails will gladly give you non-narcotic prescription meds that they don’t have to pay for; however, they are not bound by law to do so. As you are being booked, give them the letter from your doctor and request that you be allowed to take your medications. Let them know your representative will refill and bring them each month to the jail. Final thoughts: Though many medications can be interchanged with each other, some people have better results with certain brands of anti-depressants, blood pressure meds, thyroid medications and insulin. Tell the jail you have tried other brands and dosages and they do not work and request that your doctor’s prescription be followed as written. You might be interested in: Can I get medical care in a County Jail? Attorney claims Brooks needs Ativan Rx in jail