As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to grow and people take precautionary measures to prevent further spread, the World Health Organization is warning of the danger of misinformation. In fact, in February, the WHO described the abundance of information regarding the novel coronavirus as an “infodemic.” Read more...
You may have heard that a drug called chloroquine (chloroquine phosphate) or a related drug, hydroxychloroquine, might treat coronavirus (COVID-19). This is based on small, preliminary reports on their use. To date, neither form of chloroquine has been approved by drug regulatory authorities for the treatment of COVID-19 (with the exception of Poland where chloroquine phosphate is approved for this use). There are risks associated with these medications and they should not be taken or obtained without a prescription. Read more...
With everything that’s happening about the Coronavirus, it might be very hard to make a decision of what to do today. Should you wait for more information? Do something today? What? Here’s what I’m going to cover in this article, with lots of charts, data and models with plenty of sources: How many cases of coronavirus will there be in your area? What will happen when these cases materialize? What should you do? When? Read more...
Prices for hundreds of prescription drugs in US have shot up in 2020. According to GoodRx, the prices of nearly 500 medications have gone up since Dec. 31. 2019. On average, the increase has been about 5 percent. Among the specific drugs with already raised prices are Eliquis (used to reduce risk of stroke in people with an irregular heartbeat), Truvada (an antiretroviral used to prevent HIV transmission), and Humira (used to treat some types of arthritis). The drug with the biggest price hike — 13 percent — was Cotempla XR, which is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Find out if your Medication is in this list.
According to the FDA, over 1.3 million people are injured annually due to medication mistakes, which include dispensing errors in U.S. hospitals and pharmacies. Roger Bate, an economist and public health expert at the American Enterprise Institute, believes it may be safer to receive your medications in blister packs, whether dispensed locally or shipped by mail, and the FDA seems to agree. ADV-Care have been dispensing all its medication in its original manufacturer container including plaster packs. Read more...
Prescription drugs sold in the U.S. are manufactured in facilities located all over the world. Many medications you rely on are made in Australia, Canada, China, India, France, Germany, Japan, Malta, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Unfortunately, if you live in the U.S., and other countries as well, it can be quite the task to pinpoint exactly where your medication was made because companies are not required to list that information. Read more...
Have you ever had that pain and burning sensation in your chest as you’re just getting ready to sleep after a hard day’s work? Well, I have. And in case you haven’t - lucky for you - I assure you it is not the most pleasant feeling. But if you have you are not alone. It is estimated that 40 percent of people suffer from gastric reflux at some point. Read more...
Insurance providers update their list of covered medications every year. This list is called a formulary, and it helps plan enrollees to understand whether or not their insurance will help pay for their medication. Find out if your Medication is in this list.
Medication adherence refers to the extent to which a person’s medication-taking behavior corresponds with recommendations from a healthcare provider. The world Health Organization reports that adherence to medications averages 50% among patients with chronic diseases, although it can vary substantially by patient population, age and location. Read more...
The Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) is a voluntary program that officially started January 1st, 2006 and offers some assistance to U.S. seniors that incur personal expense for their prescription medications. Read more...