There's a TV commerical for Alli running here right now (that's the OTC weight loss drug that blocks some of your dietary fat from being absorbed -- at the risk of some, um, "bowel-related changes"). The spokesperson is identified as a Registered Pharmacist, and although she is not shown in a work-like setting she states, "As a pharmacist, I know Alli is safe because it is FDA approved", and "blocks 25% of the fat from being absorbed" and as part of a weight-loss program helps me lose weight etc., etc....and so on.
The commercial cuts away to something else for a second, and then comes back to her as she declares in a final statement, "My husband is a doctor, and if HE didn't think Alli was safe, he WOULDN'T let me use it!!!"
Now, I loves me my doctors (especially the Grumpy ones) but..... what the deuce is that all about? Apparently the makers of Alli didn't think that this woman's training as a pharmacist was quite enough for her to testify to the safety or effectiveness of this product without the doctor hubby's blessing.
Every time I see it, it just sticks in my craw.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
What's Happening
As we come out the other side of the second flu 'wave' and other assorted crud, and still struggle with various drug back-orders, the pharmacy biz goes on. I've been a little more preoccupied lately with the lives of my co-workers, instead of the customers (for once.)
One of them recently experienced a personal tragedy and left everyone struggling to maintain normalcy. It's one of those things where being crazy busy can actually be a good thing. Anyways, at the end of the day I was again filled with admiration for the people who deal with these things on a daily basis --- the physicians, nurses, clergy and funeral home staff who are unfailingly professional and compassionate and know just what to do when everyone else is at their worst. Hats off to them.
Okay, so the gas prices are really high. I see on the news that people are 'angry' --- well, if they are angry at the oil companies raking in billions in profits, then I get that. But c'mon folks, we've been through this before and the solutions are usually the same. I know there are businesses that are hurt by high fuel prices, but again I am looking at the people around me who drive to work in Suburbia USA in a Ford F-150. Sorry, I don't want to hear what it cost you to fill up.
I'm also a little weary of co-workers who are in continuous drama because of a spouse who can't find a job. Now PLEASE understand I'm talking ONLY about my own metropolitan area here, which is not as depressed as many others in the country. There actually are 'Now Hiring' signs, and they're not real hard to find. If I found myself unemployed, I'm one of those people who would be out there filling out applications wherever I saw those signs. Chances are it's not going to be a dream job, but it's income while I wait for a better opportunity. I feel bad for a couple of my co-workers whose spouses, I suspect, just don't want to work. It's a tremendous strain on them. I don't think I could handle it for very long.
And finally, just an aside -- I went to pick up some glasses the other day. At the counter next to me, a little girl about 5 years old was being fitted with new glasses and from what I could tell, her first pair. The technician was explaining the fit, asking her if she could see better, and explaining how she might need a little time to get used to them, etc. The mom was standing behind her.... listening? encouraging? complimenting?. No. Mom was texting on her phone the entire. freakkin. time. Didn't look up once. Do you think they'd have called Security if I walked over and slapped her?
One of them recently experienced a personal tragedy and left everyone struggling to maintain normalcy. It's one of those things where being crazy busy can actually be a good thing. Anyways, at the end of the day I was again filled with admiration for the people who deal with these things on a daily basis --- the physicians, nurses, clergy and funeral home staff who are unfailingly professional and compassionate and know just what to do when everyone else is at their worst. Hats off to them.
Okay, so the gas prices are really high. I see on the news that people are 'angry' --- well, if they are angry at the oil companies raking in billions in profits, then I get that. But c'mon folks, we've been through this before and the solutions are usually the same. I know there are businesses that are hurt by high fuel prices, but again I am looking at the people around me who drive to work in Suburbia USA in a Ford F-150. Sorry, I don't want to hear what it cost you to fill up.
I'm also a little weary of co-workers who are in continuous drama because of a spouse who can't find a job. Now PLEASE understand I'm talking ONLY about my own metropolitan area here, which is not as depressed as many others in the country. There actually are 'Now Hiring' signs, and they're not real hard to find. If I found myself unemployed, I'm one of those people who would be out there filling out applications wherever I saw those signs. Chances are it's not going to be a dream job, but it's income while I wait for a better opportunity. I feel bad for a couple of my co-workers whose spouses, I suspect, just don't want to work. It's a tremendous strain on them. I don't think I could handle it for very long.
And finally, just an aside -- I went to pick up some glasses the other day. At the counter next to me, a little girl about 5 years old was being fitted with new glasses and from what I could tell, her first pair. The technician was explaining the fit, asking her if she could see better, and explaining how she might need a little time to get used to them, etc. The mom was standing behind her.... listening? encouraging? complimenting?. No. Mom was texting on her phone the entire. freakkin. time. Didn't look up once. Do you think they'd have called Security if I walked over and slapped her?
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Say What?
With Allegra switching to over-the-counter status recently we've had to inform people of the change as the insurance plans drop it from coverage. I use Allegra and I am more than happy to see it go OTC --- totally simplifies my life. I just walk in and buy it. But one customer the other day was not happy about having to purchase it -- the price being more than her usual copay -- and chirped, "Well, I'll just ask the doctor for something else!"
Uh, no. That's not really the idea. Having the medication go OTC means that we no longer have to involve the doctor --- or the appointment scheduler, or the nurse, or the transcription person, or the pharmacist, or the pharmacy technician, or the insurance company, or the myriad of other people who, in one small way or another, play a role in generating a prescription for a person.
All of those things cost a HECK of a lot more than a box of Allegra. But yeah, try telling that to someone who had an $8 copay and believes that was all it cost.
Uh, no. That's not really the idea. Having the medication go OTC means that we no longer have to involve the doctor --- or the appointment scheduler, or the nurse, or the transcription person, or the pharmacist, or the pharmacy technician, or the insurance company, or the myriad of other people who, in one small way or another, play a role in generating a prescription for a person.
All of those things cost a HECK of a lot more than a box of Allegra. But yeah, try telling that to someone who had an $8 copay and believes that was all it cost.
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