Posts Tagged ‘medications’
Economy Got You Down? Ten Ways to Save Money on Your Medications
Save Money on Your Medications
Each week, Dr. Mike offers tips on how to save money on your medications.
If you have a chronic illness and take several medications, the costs may become a serious burden, especially in this economic downturn.
The following are some well-established ways to save money on your medications:
- Buy generic medications.
- Shop around at pharmacies in your area.
- Ask your pharmacy to match the lowest price in the community.
- Shop for generics at ?Big Box? stores.
- Stick to the no-name store brand when buying an over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
- Learn about pill splitting.
- Go postal and buy thru the mail.
- Buy medications online. Buying your medications online can be easy. Just make sure you do it safely!
- Choose your health plan wisely.
- Ask your doctor to prescribe a cheaper alternative.
For all the details, read: 10 Cost-Saving Recommendations to Help You Save Money on Medications.
What do you think? Leave a comment below or in the Medication Forum.
To ask me a question about medication, email me at drugs.guide@about.com.
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Photo ? clu/istockphoto.com
Economy Got You Down? Ten Ways to Save Money on Your Medications originally appeared on About.com Drugs on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 at 09:41:54.
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New Study Finds Problems Accessing Medications Through Medicare Part Dassociated With Increased Emergency Room Visits
Patients with mental illness who had problems accessing medications through a Medicare Part D plan were more likely to visit a psychiatric emergency department according to study in the September issue of Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association. The study looked at medication access problems and use of intensive services (i.e.
The utilization of appropriate osteoporosis medications improves following a multifaceted educational intervention: The Canadian Quality Circle Project (CQC).
Background:Osteoporosis is a serious but treatable condition. However, appropriate therapy utilization of the disease remains suboptimal. Thus, the objective of the study was to change physicians’ therapy administration behavior in accordance with the Osteoporosis Canada 2002 guidelines.Methods:The Project was a two year cohort study that consisted of five Quality Circle (QC) phases that included: 1) Training & Baseline Data Collection, 2) First Educational Intervention & First Follow-Up Data Collection 3) First Strategy Implementation Session, 4) Final Educational Intervention & Final Follow-up Data Collection, and 5) Final Strategy Implementation Session. A total of 340 family physicians formed 34 QCs and participated in the study. Physicians evaluated a total of 8376, 7354 and 3673 randomly selected patient charts at baseline, follow-up #1 and the final follow-up, respectively. Patients were divided into three groups; the high-risk, low- risk, and low-risk without fracture groups. The generalized estimating equations technique was utilized to model the change over time of whether physiciansResults:The odds of appropriate therapy was 1.29 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.46), and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.20, 1.66) in the high risk group, 1.15 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.36), and 1.16 (95% CI: 0.93, 1.44) in the low risk group, and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.43), and 1.23 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.55) in the low risk group without fractures at follow-up #1 and the final follow-up, respectively.Conclusions:QCs methodology was successful in increasing physicians’ appropriate use of osteoporosis medications in accordance with Osteoporosis Canada guidelines.
FDA Takes Actions On Darvon, Other Pain Medications Containing Propoxyphene
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking several actions to reduce the risk of overdose in patients using pain medications such as Darvon and Darvocet that contain propoxyphene. The actions were taken because of data linking propoxyphene and fatal overdoses. The agency is requiring manufacturers of propoxyphene-containing products to strengthen the label, including the boxed warning, emphasizing the potential for overdose when using these products.
CPhA Applauds Efforts To Help Seniors Afford Prescription Medications
Congressional leaders and leading pharmaceutical companies have come up with a plan to reduce medication costs for millions of senior citizens enrolled in the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug program. In combination with other discount programs and rebates, the savings to the U.S. government could represent $80 billion.
Comparison Is Key To Lower Costs, Better Outcomes From Medications
Patients can expect significant savings and better outcomes from their prescription medications when health care professionals use comparative effectiveness research, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The Danger To Teens Of OTC Medications
Teens, who are starting to make more decisions about their own health care, may not know enough about over-the-counter pain medications to avoid complications or inadvertent misuse. A University of Rochester Medical Center study surveyed almost 100 young people between 14 and 20 years old and found that the average score on series of questions about knowledge of over-the-counter medication was 44 percent.
Critical Shortages Of Narcotic Medications Pose Serious Health Risks
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) called for remedial action to alleviate the dire shortage of narcotic medications used regularly in the treatment of long-term care and hospice patients. In a letter to Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, Acting Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ASCP states concerns regarding a severe, nationwide shortage of appropriate narcotic pain medication for patients in nursing homes and in hospice care.
Survey Shows Parents Still Using Pediatric Over-the-Counter Cough/Cold Medications Even When They Know About The Possible Dangers
A new survey conducted in March 2009 by Harris Interactive? and commissioned by Bionorica shows that while 90% of parents claim to be at least somewhat knowledgeable about the level of effectiveness and the possible dangers associated with over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products for children, 62% still give these products to children when they are experiencing cough and cold symptoms.
Guideline For Treating Chronic Non-Cancer Pain With Opioid Medications
A national panel of pain management experts representing the American Pain Society (APS) and the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) has published the first comprehensive, evidence-based clinical practice guideline to assist clinicians in prescribing potent opioid pain medications for patients with chronic non-cancer pain. The long-awaited guideline appears in the current issue of The Journal of Pain, http://www.jpain.
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