Volgograd man denied free aortic dissection drug

Sergei, a 51-year-old resident of Volgograd suffering from aortic dissection and ischemic heart disease, is facing issues in obtaining preferential medication.

The drug Rivaroxaban was prescribed to him in the summer of 2023, but over the entire period, he has only been able to get it once — in September.

«The first and last time I received the drug was in September last year,» the man said. «I went to the deputy chief doctor, made a fuss. She wrote me a prescription and said: »Go, get it.« I got it.»

Since then, Sergei has repeatedly appealed to the health committee and the regional parliament, but, according to him, he only received formal dismissals.

One package of Rivaroxaban costs him about 2,500 rubles (approximately $25 at current rates). «For me, this is expensive because it»s not the only drug I take,« he explained. »I spend 10,000 rubles (about $100) a month on all medications to stay alive.«

In response to a request, the publication received a comment from the Volgograd Regional Health Committee. «A responsible specialist from the hospital will contact the patient shortly and invite him to receive the medication,» the department stated. «Medications are delivered to pharmacies almost daily, and at pharmacy No. 120, which serves preferential patients from hospital No. 11, there are 60 packages of Rivaroxaban in various dosages available. If a different dosage is needed, the drug will arrive at the pharmacy no later than 10 working days.»