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More children arriving at emergency departments addicted to opioids
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareOpioid addiction is a big problem in the United States. Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death, with 52,404 lethal drug overdoses. And opioid addiction is driving the epidemic, with 20,101 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, compared to 12,990 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2015.
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Are prescription drug prices really that high?
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalI was recently asked to participate in a health fair, representing retail pharmacy, to provide information and advice for dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs. As patients poured into the event, they browsed past scores of tables and vendors who were advertising their products and services. There were CPR demonstrations and blood pressure checks and nutritional services and addiction information.
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Healthcare expected to create 4 million jobs in next decade
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationHealthcare has had a tremendous year for job growth. Last year was strong, too, and so was 2015. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that there were about 11.7 million healthcare jobs in the U.S. in May 2014. Within two years, that number had jumped to 12.4 million through May 2016.
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Hospitals managing post-Maria medical products shortage
Michelle R. Matisons Medical & Allied HealthcareBefore Hurricane Maria hit, many people did not know Puerto Rico housed 89 facilities that manufacture pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices. The island's $60 billion infrastructure is now severely compromised, as we begin to learn more about the damage done.
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Will Chicago’s pharmacy work rules be helpful or harmful?
Matthew Collver PharmaceuticalOn Oct. 10, the Chicago City Council Finance Committee voted in favor of an ordinance that aims to regulate the amount of work pharmacists are asked to complete. This rule states that pharmacists will only be able to fill prescriptions for 10 patients per hour, and it mandates meal and bathroom breaks.
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Madagascar plague outbreak catches health officials off guard
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationWhen most people hear "the plague," they immediately think of the "Black Death" that killed more than 50 million Europeans in the 14th century. However, despite modern medicine, the plague continues to be endemic to many areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Peru. Currently, Madagascar is experiencing an unusually early plague that has affected 684 people with at least 54 deaths.
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Misbranding practices create dangers for prescribers, patients
Dr. Abimbola Farinde PharmaceuticalIn recent years there has been a rise in the occurrence of drug misbranding, which has also coincided with more and more drugs being released into the pharmaceutical market. The act of misbranding a drug can consist of falsely representing a drug or presenting a particular drug in a manner that is significantly different from its originally approved intent. This practice creates the potential for patients to experience adverse outcomes as a result of their prescribers not being appropriately informed if a drug is misbranded.
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Saving lives with smart tattoos
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareAlthough tattoos have served in various cultures as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures, pledges of love, punishment, amulets and talisman, tattoos may soon have a new purpose — saving lives.
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Pharmacists — It’s time to get social
Jason Poquette PharmaceuticalYour patients want you ... online. According to a recent survey conducted by PrescribeWellness, 78 percent of Americans would consider following their pharmacist on social media. Top reasons for wanting to see their druggist in cyberspace include hearing about deals and promotions (58 percent), new offerings and services (39 percent), healthcare news (37 percent) and seasonal vaccine reminders (31 percent).
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Trump signs executive order to bypass ACA requirements
Seth Sandronsky Healthcare AdministrationWith Congress' repeated failures to overturn the Affordable Care Act, President Donald Trump on Thursday morning signed an executive order that opens the door to dismantling Obamacare.
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