Tags: Medicine

Antibiotic Resistance

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Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections. Used properly, they can save lives. But there is a growing problem of antibiotic resistance. It happens when bacteria change and become able to resist the effects of an antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance is one of the most urgent threats to the public’s health. Antibiotic resistant bacteria can cause illnesses that were once easily treatable with antibiotics to become untreatable, leading to dangerous infections. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are often more difficult to kill and more expensive to treat. In some cases, the antibiotic-resistant infections can lead to serious disability or even death.

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics allows the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Every time a person takes antibiotics, sensitive bacteria (bacteria that antibiotics can still attack) are killed, but resistant bacteria are left to grow and multiply. This is how repeated use of antibiotics can increase the number of drug-resistant bacteria. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like the common cold, flu, most sore throats, bronchitis, and many sinus and ear infections. Widespread use of antibiotics for these illnesses is an example of how overuse of antibiotics can promote the spread of antibiotic resistance. Smart use of antibiotics is key to controlling the spread of resistance.

To help prevent antibiotic resistance

  • Tell your healthcare professional you are concerned about antibiotic resistance.
  • Ask your healthcare professional if there are steps you can take to feel better and get symptomatic relief without using antibiotics.
  • Take the prescribed antibiotic exactly as your healthcare professional tells you.
  • Safely dispose of leftover medication.
  • Ask your healthcare professional about vaccines recommended for you and your family to prevent infections that may require an antibiotic.
  • Never skip doses.
  • Never take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or the flu.
  • Never pressure your healthcare professional to prescribe an antibiotic.
  • Never save antibiotics for the next time you get sick.
  • Never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in the healthcare community, it will take a combined effort from providers and patients to help address this, following the tips above will certainly help. Thank you and be well!

Jason Miller, Pharm. D.
Pharmacy Clinical Program Manager

Medication Recalls

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You may have seen in the news recently all the information around the medication recall for valsartan (a blood pressure medication). That has prompted many to ask us in the pharmacy… what is a medication recall?

First off, be assured that all FDA approved medications are thoroughly tested not only to make sure that they work, but also to make sure that they are safe to take. Once a medication has been approved for use, both the manufacturer and the FDA continues to monitor for unexpected safety issues. When a safety concern is identified a recall is announced. Sometimes there are public reported issues with taking the medications, sometimes the manufacturers discover defects.

Some reasons for medication recalls include;

  • Health concerns – Though all medications are tested for safety initially, it is not until long term use that other safety concerns are often realized.
  • Misbranding – Sometimes a medication is recalled because of incorrect labeling or packaging.
  • Contamination – Medications can often become contaminated with unintended products during production or distribution.

If the recall involves an over-the-counter drug that you are taking, stop taking it at once. You can usually return the product to the place of purchase and ask for a refund — stores generally have return and refund policies when a recall has been issued. Your pharmacist can recommend an alternative medicine to use during the recall. Manufacturers will also have a hotline number to contact for more information.

If the recall involves a prescription drug, call your pharmacist as soon as possible to find out what replacement is needed and how to return the product. Again, the manufacturers will also have a hotline number to contact for additional information.

Keep in mind that medication recalls are very rare, there are many steps in place to ensure your safety… recalls are just one of those steps.

Have a great end of summer everyone!

Jason Miller, Pharm. D.
Pharmacy Clinical Program Manager

ReadyMed Prescription Auto Refill Program

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The simple act of taking your medication the right way may not seem like a complex matter, but non-adherence (or not taking medication as directed by your physician) is a complicated and very common problem. It is estimated that three out of four people in our country do not take their medication as directed. Often times, people do not realize the effects that not taking their medication as prescribed can cause. When patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or cardiovascular disease do not take medication as directed, the repercussions can be severe. For instance, not keeping your blood pressure under control can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

It is hard to directly correlate poor health outcomes to non-adherence, but some studies estimate that poor medication adherence takes the lives of 125,000 Americans each year and costs the health care system nearly $300 billion. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, MD. once stated, “Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.” There are many reasons why someone may not be adherent with their medications;

  • It can be easy to forget to take a dose, or they may run out of refills
  • Some people don’t like to admit they have a medical condition or can be in denial
  • Many medications cause side effects or make people feel poorly when taken
  • Some medications are very expensive! People often try to split doses or take every other day to save money.

At our pharmacies we have solution to help with adherence, ReadyMed. ReadyMed is a prescription auto refill program that will make sure your prescriptions are ready for you when you need them. Our pharmacy team will work to prepare your prescriptions, contact your provider for refills when necessary, notify you when they are ready, and ensure that you have less to worry about! Life is busy, let us help you manage your prescriptions.

Jason Miller, Pharm. D.
Pharmacy Clinical Program Manager