New Drug Releases- Just In Time
Last month the FDA approved forty new medications and 6 new drugs got tentative approval.
With so numerous drugs produced and approved it is mind boggling to fathom how physicians, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, can keep up with the data.
At last Auidiolearn.net is the perfect data conduit. They provide audios with over 500 commonly prescribed drugs. The public and medical professionals can also subscribe to the monthly updates at no charge. Audio learning? This is a welcome resource. The audio includes interactions, side effects, indications, and mechanism of action. When else will these busy professionals have a chance to keep current the newest drugs?
It is not hard to find a doctor who has not heard of a newly approved medication that may have fewer adverse interactions with other drugs or treat an illness more effectively. When was the last time a physician prescribed an inferior drug than one that physician prescribe the most current medication? No one 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 older patients. Majority of the older patients are not computer literate. Most are 100% reliant on their physician to provide them with them advice based on current medications. The elderly take many drugs on a routine basis. They often visit more than one doctor and their physicians don’t always communicate.
If a patient only visits the physician annual at best, then this may be a year of consuming a medication that is of less value than an alternative available. Some patients suffer painful side effects, such as, muscle aches, stomach pain, nausea, bloating, cramping and rapid heart beat or worse.
Mosthealth insurance companies don’t cover brand name medications, when a generic alternative is available. What if the pharmacy fills a prescription as prescribed and a generic available? A pharmacy that is aware of the generic alternative may inform the physician to see if they will the generic. A pharmacist 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 customer goes to get their prescription.
Customers ask the pharmacy tech why the bill is so high and the technician checks on it. This of course takes up the pharmacist’s valuable. They come back and say that there is a generic available and the insurance company will not provide the coverage to brand name medications! Some customers may requests that the pharmacist contact the physicians office.
Alternatively, most consumers aren’t aware of the problem with the price. They won’t say anything and will either pay the more money or not buy the drugs regardless of how badly it is necessary. The higher price without insurance coverage is out of the price range for numerous customers.
This may seem outrageous, but there are millions of elderly people who have to select between eating and medications. They simply don’t have funds for both. Obviously, this is an unacceptable situation, it takes time and effort to stay current.
Whether you are a physician, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacy tech I implore you to take an active roll in giving your patients with the most current information.
- CF Thompson
:: Aug.16.2008 :: Health :: No Comments »
