Our anti-mail order legislation is awaiting Governor Cuomo’s signature! Please call him today and voice your support!

Voice your support! Tell Governor Cuomo to sign A5502-B/S3510 Into Law Today!

A5502-B/S3510-B has reached Governor Cuomo’s desk and awaits only his signature to officially make this legislation the law of New York. This important legislation would protect the right of New York residents to utilize the valuable services of their community pharmacist. Second, it would ensure that these patients will not be unfairly forced by their insurance plan to purchase their prescription medications only through the mail. Many groups are fighting harder than ever to prevent Governor Cuomo from signing the bill. This is our last opportunity see the bill through the finish line!

There are two ways to pass your message along to the Governor.

Call the Citizen Services line at 1-518-474-1041 and verbally pass along your message of support

or

Visit: www.governor.ny.gov then click on ‘contact’ – Enter A5502-B as ‘subject’ – Insurance as ‘topic’ – then add your comments of support for the governor to sign the bill!

Time is of the essence!

Please act today!

New hope is given to patients with late stage Melanoma.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and in most cases, except when it’s caught early, is invariably fatal.

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Coming just in time for National Pharmacy Week will be “Life Is Better” T-Shirts personalized for Village Apothecary!

Sizes range from S-3XL.

Prices will be $9.99 for S-XL, $11.99 for 2XL and 3XL.

PLEASE, reserve a shirt now if you are interested!

Our anti-mail order legislation is awaiting Governor Cuomo’s signature!  Please call him today and voice your support!

Voice your support! Tell Governor Cuomo to sign A5502-B/S3510 Into Law Today!

A5502-B/S3510-B has reached Governor Cuomo’s desk and awaits only his signature to officially make this legislation the law of New York.  This important legislation would protect the right of New York residents to utilize the valuable services of their community pharmacist. Second, it would ensure that these patients will not be unfairly forced by their insurance plan to purchase their prescription medications only through the mail. Many groups are fighting harder than ever to prevent Governor Cuomo from signing the bill.  This is our last opportunity see the bill through the finish line!

There are two ways to pass your message along to the Governor.

Call the Citizen Services line at 1-518-474-1041 and verbally pass along your message of support

or

Visit: www.governor.ny.gov then click on ‘contact’ -  Enter A5502-B as ‘subject’  - Insurance as ‘topic’  – then add your comments of support for the governor to sign the bill!

Time is of the essence!

Please act today!

We held a small mixer event recently to celebrate our recent PCAB Accreditation.

The event was attended by some Apothecary staff and some local practitioners that have used compounding (and helped us get to the accreditation level).

We held it at the GORGEOUS Renwick Clifton House Bed and Breakfast on Barclay Lane in Saugerties.  It’s easy to forget how beautiful some areas of Saugerties are!  The Renwick was WONDERFUL and we highly recommend it whenever you want to have a small event or to stay the night in luxury and beauty…

Thank you to Mirabella’s for catering and Partition Street Wine Shop for selecting some delicious wines.

Thank you also for those who attended:

• Dr. Joel Mandelbaum,  Allyne Frankel NP, and Geraldine Law RN
• Dr. Claudia Patch DDS and Jessica Gallo, Lead Dental Assistant
• Dr. Amy Adams DVM and Dr. David Gunzburg DVM
• Dr. Elizabeth Costley, Rose Sullivan RN, and Shannon Bruerer LPN
• Dr. Orman “Skip” Leighton DVM

Here are some pictures:

It’s time for sunscreen bootcamp!

First, let’s talk about why we use sunscreens.

Energy from the sun comes in the form of light.  The light we see is called visible light.  The light we don’t see with higher energy than visible light is called ultra-violet light, or UV light.

Ultraviolet light, for all intents and purposes, is divided up into 3 groups:  UVA, UVB, and UVC.  UVA is less “intense” and UVC is more “intense”.  UVC is predominantly blocked by our ozone layer, so it is not a major concern.

UVA and UVB, on the other hand, both pose significant health risks.  The intensity of these rays can cause sunburn and damage in the form of aging, wrinkles, and eventually cancer.

Which is worse?  Well, UVB is more intense and poses greater health risk.  BUT, UVA is much more prevalent – you’re exposed to about 50 times more UVA than UVB.

So, we must protect against our exposure to these.  Sunscreens are how we do so.

Protecting Yourself From The Sun

Let’s now discuss SPF.  SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor“.  SPF is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to protect against UVB only.  This very important!  Only “broad spectrum” sunscreens protect against UVA.  With upcoming FDA regulations, broad spectrum sunscreens must protect equally against UVA and UVB.

The number associated with SPF is actually about time. SPF 15 means it will take 15 times as long for your sun to redden than if you had no protection.  SPF 30 means it will take 30 times as long for your skin to redden.

Once you hit SPF 30, you are “blocking” about 97% of harmful rays. Increasing the SPF beyond 30 will gain you only 1-2% extra protection.  Therefore, SPF 30 is all that is necessary.  The key is using the proper amount and reapplying every 2 hours.

Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreens

Protection from the sun comes from either a variety of chemicals or from minerals.  (a little tidbit:  In Europe, mineral sunscreens are illegal).

FDA Approved Sunscreens

Chemical sunscreens form a thin, protective film on the surface of the skin and absorb the UV radiation before it penetrates the skin.

The mineral-based sunscreens are insoluble particles that reflect UV away from the skin. Most sunscreens contain a mixture of chemical and physical active ingredients.

It’s really a matter of choice.  Our preference is to recommend mineral-based sunscreens.  We tend to recommend oil-free sunscreens for the face to decrease chances of getting pimples.

The Key To Protection – Applying it Right

All the protective effects of sunscreen come if the correct amount of sunscreen is applied.  For the average adult, 3 tablespoonfuls (1 and 1/2 ounces) should be applied every 2 hours.

Most people apply only 1/4 to 1/2 of the recommended amount.  A recent article in Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin states that this equates to a true SPF of only 2.3-7.1.

Sunscreens must be applied 20 minutes prior to needing protection. Some sunscreens are labelled as “instant protection” now must submit data supporting this claim to the FDA or have that claim removed from the package.

What about water?  Some sunscreens currently are labelled as water or sweat proof.  This claim soon has to be proven by providing protection for 40-80 minutes while sweating or swimming.  Until new regulations take effect fully, please reapply sunscreen IMMEDIATELY following sweating or swimming.

In Summary

In an ideal world…

• Use a true broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen
• Apply 20 minutes prior to sun exposure
• Use 3 tablespoonfuls over all exposed areas every 2 hours
• If you sweat or go swimming, reapply immediately

So, a good thing happened today.  Generic Levaquin was released.

But, there is a negative…
It is an order of magnitude cheaper.  Like, ridiculous;  the biggest difference in a brand to generic switch we’ve seen in years.  Can the cost really be that different between two days?  What kind of message does this send to the public?

On the other side of the coin, this is great:  one antibiotic won’t send patients on Medicare into the donut hole.  Access definitely will be increased.

Our concern is this:  now that it’s so much cheaper – is it going to be abused and misused?  This would lead to antibiotic resistance – but we need Levaquin to remain as potent as it is.  Levaquin is special because of it’s sheer power.  It is reserved for extremely mean respiratory infections.

Time will tell.  We always recommend diligence with any antibiotic.  Only use them as a last resort when absolutely appropriate – not for the sniffles!

Click Here for the CDC’s Antibiotic Stewardship information.

The FDA four years ago set out to change the rules on sunscreens.  Two days ago, they officially have stated what those changes will be.  These changes will go into effect in 1-2 years (depending upon the size of the manufacturer).   I know, go Speedracer go!

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We have won the battle!

Recently, we asked patients to sign petitions in support of legislation that prohibits insurance companies from making mail order MANDATORY for all patients.  Neal took those petitions and spoke with our local legislators, Peter Lopez and John Bonacic.  Both pledge support and even co-sponsored the legislation in their respective legislative bodies.

Yesterday, both bodies voted and PASSED THIS LEGISLATION!

Patients now have the right to choose mail order or local pharmacies.  There will be NO price difference between the two, and pharmacies like ours will be reimbursed the SAME as a mail order company will.  This has to do TREMENDOUSLY with support from our patients.  Taking a few hundred signatures from our pharmacy matched with the same from other local pharmacies across the state was highly effective!  We Thank You!

Here’s the press release!

Albany, NY – The New York State Assembly and Senate passed legislation that would provide consumers with choice on where to purchase their prescription drugs.  Currently, some consumers are required by their health insurance plan to purchase their prescription drugs only through mail order.  Under this legislation, these consumers would have the option of purchasing their drugs from a local pharmacy.

Pharmacy owners across the state are grateful for the hard work put forth by the bill’s sponsors, Senator George Maziarz (R-Newfane) and Assemblyman Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), and the numerous bi-partisan co-sponsors of this legislation.  They also applaud Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for their leadership on behalf of pharmacy consumers.

In May, 2011, Consumer Reports ranked independent pharmacies at the top for speed of service, accuracy, helpfulness, courteousness, knowledge and personal service.
“On a daily basis, we hear from countless customers about their preference to buy locally.  Local pharmacies provide superior customer service, face-to-face interactions with a professional pharmacist, and, under this legislation, comparable prices with mail order pharmacies”, said Ray Macioci, President of the New York City Pharmacists Society.

New York’s community pharmacies have been reeling after years of reimbursement cuts and the proliferation of mail order mandates.  Over 350 independent pharmacies have closed since 2008.

“Mail order mandates have resulted in over $5 billion worth of pharmacy business leaving the state every year.  These dollars go to states with large mail order houses.  This has resulted in lost jobs and lost tax revenues for localities and the state”, said Craig Burridge, Executive Director of the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York.

This bill will result in no price increases for consumers or health insurers.  The bill requires that the local pharmacy be reimbursed at a comparable price as the mail order pharmacy.  Health plans will continue to be able to set co-payment amounts for their customers.

Please read about all the issues facing independent pharmacies and their patients in the upcoming year.