News & Features

June, 2007

Here is the June edition of our free monthly newsletter. We hope you find the articles useful, timely, and informative. Please feel free to share this with any of your friends or neighbors.

New York Times finally "gets it" on Medicare.

"One good place to look for savings (in prescription drugs) is surely in the lavish subsidies provided to the private health plans that participate in Medicare. That would help lower the overall program's cost and slow the approach of insolvency."

-New York Times editorial, "Medicare's Troubling Prospects", 4/26/07.

No more "crush and flush".

We used to think that flushing old Rx drugs down the sink or toilet was okay... but not anymore. Significant traces of drugs are showing up in rivers, lakes, and treated water sources. Some toxicologists say these remnants could affect fish and wildlife and contribute to antibiotic resistance. The recommended disposal technique for most solid dosage forms is to remove them from the Rx vial and destroy the Rx label. Then mix the drugs with coffee grounds, kitty litter, or another unpalatable substance, put the concoction in an unmarked can or sealed bag which can then go into your trashcan. There are still some drugs (narcotics and other controlled drugs) that should be flushed in order to prevent diversion. Most household hazardous waste facilities will take expired or unwanted drugs, but not controlled substances.

Garlic is NOT likely to lower cholesterol.

Earlier evidence suggested that garlic modestly lowers cholesterol, but newer and better designed studies challenge this. The new study used many types of garlic supplements, including raw garlic, to avoid any controversy over the findings. The large NIH trial shows that even a clove a day of raw garlic, or doses of garlic powder well in excess of the manufacturer's recommendation (including aged garlic) do not lower any type of cholesterol.

Some blood-pressure medications may help prevent Alzheimer's

A new study conducted by Wake Forest University School of Medicine has found indications that some of the drugs in the class of ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) Inhibitors which are used to treat high blood pressure may also lead to a reduction in the risk of development of Alzheimer's disease. Not all of the ACE inhibitors manifested this tendency however. The investigators found that only those ACE Inhibitors whose activities are exhibited in the brain (those that cross the blood-brain barrier) known as "centrally active drugs" showed this benefit. Dr. Kaycee Sink, M.D. said that "For older adults who are going to take an ACE Inhibitor for blood pressure control, it makes sense for their doctors to prescribe one that goes into the brain." Some centrally active ACE Inhibitors include captopril, fosinopril, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril and trandolapril, also known by their trade names, Capoten, Monopril, Prinivil or Zestril, Aceon, Altace, and Mavik respectively. ACE inhibitors should not be used for Alzheimer's exclusively.

Pharmacy errors as reported on TV.

In light of a recent television segment of 20/20 exposing multiple errors in filling prescriptions by a well known local and national pharmacy chain, we again wish to stress the advantage of dealing with a local, independent pharmacist, who is not working on a "quota" system, and is under no pressure to prepare any certain minimum number of prescriptions in a given time. Your local neighborhood pharmacist is able to take the time to counsel you on the use of your medications, and provide clear and understandable details on what to expect from your medication. This, in addition to the use of state-of-the-art computerized drug interaction programs, 24 hour availability of the pharmacist who filled your prescription, short wait times, and available delivery service are all reasons to have your neighborhood pharmacist fill all your prescriptions.

Just a reminder that we are now in our new more convenient quarters, at 8500 Delmar, just a few yards West of our old location.

The pharmacists and staff at M.D. Pharmacy, your neighborhood pharmacy.

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