Articles - Snippits

Last month the FDA approved forty medications and 6 new drugs obtained tentative approval.

With so numerous drugs being produced and approved it is mind boggling to fathom how physicians, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, can keep pace with the information.

At last Auidiolearn.net is the perfect data conduit. They provide audios with over 500 commonly prescribed drugs. Medical professionals and the public can also subscribe to the monthly updates at no charge. Audio learning? This is a welcome resource. The audio includes mechanism of action, side effects, indications and interactions. When else will these busy professionals have a chance to keep abreast the newest drugs?

It is not hard to know of a doctor who has not heard of an approved medication that may have fewer side effects or treat an illness more effectively. When was the last time a doctor ordered a less effective drug than one that recently approved for distribution 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 difficult for the elderly. Most of the elderly are not computer literate. Most are 100% reliant on their doctor to provide them with them good advice. The elderly take numerous drugs on a routine basis. They often see more than one doctor and their specialists don't always communicate.

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

Many insurance companies will not cover brand name drugs, when there is a generic alternative. What happens if the pharmacy fills a prescription as ordered and there is a generic available? A pharmacy that is keen to the generics available may cal the doctor to find out if they will the generic. A pharmacist when they try to charge the insurance company and the charge is rejected. Often no one notices until the order is filled and the customer goes to get their prescription.

Customers ask the pharmacy tech why the charge is so high and the pharmacist looks into it. This of course takes up the pharmacist's time. They come back and state that a generic is available and the health insurance will not pay for brand name drugs! Some customers may requests that the pharmacist call the doctor.

On the other hand most consumers aren't aware of the problem with the price. They will not talk to the pharmacist and will either pay the higher price or not buy the drugs even though it is necessary. The retail price without insurance is out of the price range for numerous people.

This may seem outrageous, but there are millions of aged people who have to select between eating and medications. They simply don't have funds for both. Notably, this is an unacceptable situation, it takes time and effort to keep up.

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