Drug Topics Voices 09-10-2015

Woulda, shoulda, coulda

Re: “The new pharmacy: Revenue streams, Part 1” [Mark Burger, Final Word, August 10]:

My gut tells me there is much wisdom in integrative medicine, and the more I read and understand, the more strongly I believe that. Our bodies are not “fragile, imperfect, need-to-be-propped-up-by-pharmaceuticals” beings. They are designed to maintain and heal themselves, if only we give them what they need to do so.

There are many tried and true methods of prevention and healing that we should be looking at, instead of “fix-it-with-a-pill.” Modern medicine may kill us, both financially and physically. It definitely has its place in certain applications, but as a panacea, it falls short. Prevention is key, but those in power seem not to think so.

I wish that years ago I had listened to my instincts. Seems as if, during the past 35 or 40 years, I have been part of the problem instead of the solution. Am I too old to start over now? I’m not sure.

Anonymous
posted at drug topics.com

See also: COI alert

It’s never too late

I don’t think you will ever be too old to learn a new paradigm. You already know the answer: the body has a strong propensity for homeostasis. Helping a patient get back on track can be easier than blocking a major biochemical pathway, blocking a major neurological pathway, purposely depleting an important nutrient (such as sodium), or suppressing the secretion of a life-giving, nutritionally necessary chemical (such as hydrochloric acid).

We have to ask ourselves: When were physiology and biochemistry trumped by flawed pharmacological studies and intentionally misleading epidemiology/biostatistics? It never was and never will be. If you can’t heal the body by getting out of the way or through Remove, Replenish, Restore, then you’re not a healer, you’re a disease manager, and the patient will never get well.

Thanks for your comments. Remember, you aren’t starting over, you’re bringing 40 years of experience with you, and you are seeing it from another perspective. Good luck!

Mark Burger
posted at drugtopics.com

See also: Inactive does not equal harmless 

It’s all about the staffing

Re: “Pharmacy mistakes, Part 3: State BOPs and public safety” [Dennis Miller, August 5, drugtopics.com]:

You can only take so many distractions before mistakes are made. I disagree that one pharmacist and one technician  are adequate staffing unless you have a dedicated cashier. If you don’t, then your technician becomes the cashier and the pharmacist is left to process prescriptions, check prescriptions, answer the phone, follow up with doctor calls - and let’s throw in a flu shot for good measure.

Staffing is key: You may have the best system and technology in place but if you don’t have proper staffing, then it all fails.

Anonymous
posted at drug topics.com

Engraved in memory

Re: “Pharmacists write in: Worst mistakes, Part 1” [Dennis Miller, August 19, drugtopics.com]:

I know a pharmacist who wears [her worst mistake] as a necklace concealed under her smock. It reads: “One suppository PO QD.” It was typed up, but not dispensed.

Sherri Skinner
posted at facebook.com/drug topics

Go after the prescribers

Re: “Feds targeting Indiana pill mill doctors, pharmacists” [Mark Lowery, June 4, drugtopics.com]:

Your article began, “A recent spike in HIV cases throughout Indiana has federal prosecutors closely scrutinizing doctors and pharmacists who may be recklessly prescribing painkillers.”

Pharmacists don’t prescribe “painkillers” or anything else in Indiana. They are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to deciding whether or not to fill Rxs for the state’s thousands of addicts. The law provides pharmacists an out if they’re not comfortable filling a given Rx, but many have to spend an extra 15-20 minutes they don’t have, filling out a form documenting why they chose to “just say no!” to someone who clearly appears to be an addict, or risk disciplinary action from their employers. I think requiring a pharmacist to justify refusal to fill a controlled substance is a form of coercion to fill them; it implies that there is something questionable when a pharmacist actually knows that half these drugs end up being sold on the street and doesn’t wish to be a part of it.

I wish the authorities would go after those responsible - the prescribers. It’s not rocket science to see who the doctors are who are writing thousands of these scripts per month; go after them.

Anonymous
posted at facebook.com/drug topics