Recent Articles of Interest

Last month the FDA approved about 40 new medications and six new medications obtained tentative approval.

With so many medications produced and approved it is overwhelming to fathom how doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, can keep pace with the data.

There is finally Auidiolearn.net is the perfect information conduit. They provide audios with over five hundred commonly prescribed medications. Medical professionals and the public can also subscribe to the monthly updates at no charge. Audio learning? What a great idea. The audio includes mechanism of action, side effects, indications and interactions. When else will these busy people have a chance to keep current the newest medications?

It is not hard to find a doctor who has not heard of an approved medication that will have fewer adverse interactions with other drugs or treat an illness more efficiently. When was the last time a doctor ordered a less effective mediation than one that Did the doctor prescribe the most current medication? Who knows? It is going to take a concerted effort on the part of all professionals to keep abreast of the changes.

This is particularly challenging for the elderly. Most of the older patients are not computer savvy. They are 100% reliant on their doctor to give them advice based on current medications. The elderly population take many medications on a routine basis. They often see more than one doctor and their physicians don't always talk to each other.

If a patient only visits the doctor once a year, this can be a year of taking a medication that is inferior to alternative on the market. Some patients endure overwhelming side effects, such as, stomach pains, muscle aches, bloating, cramping and rapid heart beat or worse.

Manyhealth insurance companies don't pay for brand name drugs, when a generic alternative is available. What if the pharmacy fills a prescription as ordered and a generic available? A pharmacy that is aware of the generic alternative may cal the doctor to find out if they will the generic. A pharmacist when they try to but the charge through the insurance company and the charge is rejected. Sometimes no one notices until the order is filled and the patient goes to pick up their prescription.

They ask the pharmacist why the charge is so high and the technician checks on it. This of course takes up the pharmacist's valuable. They come back and state that there is a generic available and the insurance company will not pay for brand name drugs! Some customers may requests that the pharmacist contact the physicians office.

Alternatively, most consumers don't know better. They will not say anything and will either pay the higher price or not buy the medications regardless of how badly it is needed. The retail price without insurance coverage is not affordable for many people.

This may seem outrageous, but there are millions of elderly consumers who have to choose between eating and medications. They simply don't have funds for both. Obviously, this is an unacceptable circumstance, but it takes time and energy to stay current.

If you are a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacy tech I implore you to take an active roll in giving your patients with the most current information.