Mark J. Heyrman is a Clinical Professor at the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Heyrman teaches courses in Trial Practice, Mental Health Advocacy and Mental Health Law. Step therapy requires patients to try medications in a certain order, forcing them to try cheaper medications before being able to "step up" to the more expensive prescription drugs.
Unfortunately, this way of approaching treatment can actually prolong a patient's path to better health.
When a person with a mental illness is not prescribed the proper medications for their condition, it could have traumatic results.
No one should be required to take medicine a doctor believes will not work before being allowed to take medicine that will work.
What is being done to prevent step therapy from interfering with the treatment of people with mental illnesses?
Mark J. Heyrman joins Melanie Cole, MS, to discuss what step therapy is and how it can be damaging to those people suffering with a mental illness.
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Step Therapy: Blocking Mental Illness Patients' Access to Medication
From the Show: Health Radio
Summary: What effect does step therapy have on the treatment of people with mental illnesses?
Air Date: 7/27/15
Duration: 10
Host: Melanie Cole, MS
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