Consumer Interest
Medical Issuses > Medications

Medications or other preparations that are taken to maintain health and treat illness must be used carefully with an understanding about what they are supposed to do. Cough preparations, laxatives, upset stomach preparations and other things you buy in the store, known as over-the-counter (OTC) items, are included in what we refer to as medications.

You, as a kidney disease consumer, must be extra careful about all the medications that you take. Your body's response to medications will not be the same as another person's who does not have kidney disease. Discuss all the medications you take with your doctor.

All of the doctors you see must know that you have kidney disease and what kind of dialysis treatment you get or if you have a transplanted kidney. The dentist is included as a person who must know.

Herbal and other alternative medical choices should be discussed with your doctor before you start to use any of these because they may contain things that would not be good for you.

Several Web sites have important information about the use of medications; some of these are:

Drug Interactions
Link to Mayo Clinic (Opens in New Window)
Link to Consumer Healthcare Product Association (Opens in New Window)

Consumer Publications
http://www.pharmacyandyou.org/aboutmedicine/aboutmedicine-top.html
Link to Food and Drug Administraion (Opens in New Window)
http://www.pharmacyandyou.org/selfcare/PSCbrochure.pdf
Link to NCPIE (Opens in New Window)
Link to BeMedWise (Opens in New Window)


PAAD Program

PAAD is the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled program that helps eligible New Jersey residents pay for prescription drugs, insulin, insulin needles, certain diabetic testing materials, syringes and needles for injectable medicines.

You are eligible for PAAD if you meet the following requirements:

  • You are a New Jersey resident;
  • Your income in 2004 is less than $20,989.00 if you’re single, or less than $25,735.00 if you are married;
  • You are at least 65 years of age, OR at least 18 years of age and receiving Social Security Disability benefits.

The income limit will increase each January by the amount of the Social Security cost-of-living increase.

To apply you must complete a PAAD application (pdf - 407K) and mail it to the address on the form. If eligible you will receive an identification card within 30 days. With the PAAD card, you pay the pharmacist only $5 for each covered prescription.

For information concerning PAAD call 1-800-792-9745 or write: PAAD, PO Box 715, Trenton, NJ 08625-0715. PAAD information is available online at: www.state.nj.us/health/seniorbenefits/paadapp.htm


Mail and Internet

There are many pharmaceutical companies that provide both prescription and non-prescription medications and supplements at a reduced rate. You can order these by mail or you can order them on the Internet.

You can locate the companies that have Web sites by doing a search in your Web browser. Be careful to access only known, reputable companies that have protected ordering pages. These companies have pharmacists with whom you can discuss your questions.

Pharmacies and mail order drug companies advertise their sites on the radio and in magazines and newspapers. Compare prices and save where you can.