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.

This article was written by Casey Chan at Gizmodo.

We refer to things as snake oil whenever it over promises, scams, has no proof in being able to do what its been marketed to do or when it’s just plain ridiculous. But did you know real snake oil works?

Snake Oil is a traditional Chinese medicine that is made from the fats and oils extracted from the Chinese water snake. According to a neurophysiologist who examined snake oil:

Chinese water-snake oil contains 20 percent eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the two types of omega-3 fatty acids most readily used by our bodies. Salmon, one of the most popular food sources of omega-3s, contains a maximum of 18 percent EPA, lower than that of snake oil.

Omega-3s are vital for human metabolism. Not only do they sooth inflammation in muscles and joints, but also, they can help “cognitive function and reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and even depression.”

In the 1860s, Chinese railroad workers would use that Snake Oil to rub their sore muscles. They shared the secret elixir with their American counterparts…and then things got crazy. People who heard of this snake oil tried to make their own, without the Chinese water snake, and instead with Rattlesnakes—because they were scarier.

To sell people on their products, these companies toured the West with elaborate carnival-like “medicine shows” often featuring live music, puppetry, acrobatics, blackface performers, and sideshow acts. The medicine show always culminated with a dramatic demonstration of the remedy “healing” audience members, usually “shills” placed in the crowd by the company.

When examining this kind of snake oil they found that it didn’t contain one ounce of snake oil but instead some fatty oil from cattle and red pepper (to warm the skin) and turpentine or camphor (to give a medicinal smell). The Snake Oil marketed and sold by these people did nothing, hence the Snake Oil reputation. Read the whole history of Snake Oil at Collector’s Weekly [Collectors Weekly via Neatorama]

Starting November 18th, Avandia, Avandaryl and Avandamet will no longer be available in pharmacies.

It has been pulled off the shelf after recent data showed an increased risk in heart attacks among patients taking the drug.

Avandia at one time was the world’s best selling diabetes drug, totaling $3 billion in annual revenue for GlaxoSmithKline.

Actos, a competing product, has not shown to have the same risks and is available for patients switching from Avandia (if they haven’t already).

Avandia will still be available through a special program for patients who are on it and can’t take other therapies.  More info to come.

Our very own Szilvia recently visited family in her native country of Hungary.  On her trip, she stopped by a Hungarian apothecary.

In most of Hungary they are still referred to as apothecaries and are the old-fashioned health centers that one would envision.  Modern establishments have a similar look throughout Europe:  no visible drugs, glass shelves, very modern looking.

She snapped some pictures of a modern grocery store pharmacy in Szombathely, Hungary.

A few interesting things to note about the practice of pharmacy there…

• Almost everything is unit dosed.  Most medications come in individually wrapped packages
• Prescriptions are not really needed
• Nothing is visible.  All the medications are in drawers behind the counter.  You ask for something, the pharmacist pulls from a drawer a set of individually wrapped tablets or capsules.   Modern pharmacies use new fancy drawers.  Apothecaries still have wooden cabinets.

Enjoy the pictures!

I recently wrote a small article for a great, local, free newspaper:  Woodstock International.  Please enjoy the issue and our article!

1. You can’t eat an ice cube to lose weight.
2. You can only get energy from food. Not a pill.
3. Donald Trump should have nothing to do with vitamins.

More to come…