Articles

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

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

There is finally Auidiolearn.net is the perfect information conduit. They provide audios with over five hundred commonly prescribed drugs. The public and medical professionals 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 professionals have a chance to keep current the newest drugs?

It is not hard to know of a doctor who has not heard of a newly approved drug that will have fewer side effects or treat an illness more efficiently. When was the last time a physician ordered an inferior mediation than one that Did the doctor prescribe the most current drug? Who knows? It is going to take which is of less value than an alternative available. Many patients endure overwhelming side effects, such as, stomach pains, muscle aches, bloating, cramping and rapid heart beat or worse.

Most insurance companies don't cover brand name medications, when a generic alternative is available. What if the pharmacy fills a prescription as ordered and a generic available? A pharmacy that is keen to the generic alternative may cal the physician to see if they will the generic. A pharmacy technician may first realize this when they try to charge the insurance company and the charge is rejected. Often it does not come to anyone's attention until the order is filled and the patient goes to get their prescription.

They ask the pharmacist why the charge is so high and the pharmacist checks on it. This of course takes up the pharmacy tech's time. They come back and say that a generic is available and the health insurance will not pay for brand name medications! Some customers may requests that the pharmacist call the physicians office.

On the other hand most consumers don't know better. They won't talk to the pharmacist and will either pay the higher price or not buy the drugs even though it is needed. The retail price without insurance is out of the price range for many customers.

This may seem unbelievable, but there are millions of elderly people who have to select between prescriptions and eating. They don't have enough money for both. Notably, it is an unacceptable situation, it takes time and energy to stay current.

Whether you are a physician, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacy tech please take an active part in giving your patients with the most up to date information.