Archive for January, 2010

BPH costing you an arm and a leg?

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

For millions of Men the world over, BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) more commonly known as an enlarged prostate gland that inhibits normal urine flow is a nagging symptom that typically progresses with age.  Its not enough that it decreases quality of life, but it can also decrease the amount of cash in your wallet.  And in some cases, we’re talking hundreds of dollars a month if you’re using drugs like Avodart or Flomax!

Luckily, there are several cheaper options like doxazosin or finasteride you can try before resorting to these high dollar items. These items can usually be obtained for less then $10.00/mo. and in many studies are equally effective to their Brand Name competitors. For more information talk with your doctor, or ask one of our Board Certified Pharmacists for more information.

http://www.rx-savings-solutions.com/?contact

Rx Savings Solutions: Your Prescription for Drug Savings!

Avoid “Free” Samples from your Doctor

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Avoiding anything Free in our society might seem like a crazy idea.  But is anything really “Free”?  More likely, its at no direct cost to you!  Let’s take a look at a familiar scenario:

A patient (maybe you) goes in to their primary care physician for a yearly physical.  While there, they find that you have a slightly abnormal condition that is easily treated with a prescription medication.  Instead of sending you out the door to the pharmacy, the doctor briefly leaves the room and returns with “Free Samples” that you can try for the next 2 weeks or a month.  Sounds great, no cost to you, right?!  Not so fast!

If a doctor was doling out free samples, you can bet they came from a drug representative or salesman.  And that salesman was betting the doctor would prescribe that particular medication after his patients free samples ran out.  So, after a month your free samples have run out, and you return to the doctor again.  This time your slightly abnormal condition has been treated with the help of the medication you received.  The doctor tells you the drug is working well, and you’re off to the pharmacy.  When you get there, the financial nightmare begins!  Instead of costing $5.00, $10.00, or even $15.00, you’re hit with a $30.00 or $50.00 a month copay assuming you’re one of the lucky people with insurance.  Now, you’re looking at paying upwards of $600.00 a year for the medication that was “Free” last month. 

Chances are, there’s probably a solution a whole lot cheaper than the one given by your doctor!  Our monthly services help identify these inefficiencies and get you back on your financial track!  One of our Board Certified Pharmacists will personally review your information, and make cost saving recommendations with your pocketbook in mind, not the drug companies, pharmacies, or doctors.  For more information, click the following link: http://www.rx-savings-solutions.com/?yourprescription.

Eating Slower helps People Lose Weight, Live Longer

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

As Americans continue to struggle with an obesity problem, a new study out in January states that overeating is now a bigger health risk than smoking tobacco. The study focuses on the speed in which one eats, and concludes that people who are overweight eat faster and consume more calories than those who do not.

For most of us, we’ve all experienced a time when we’ve had a big meal in a relaxing environment where there was still some food on the plate.  Typically, we would have finished it, but because we took our time with conversation and enjoyment of the moment, we felt “full” and couldn’t finish.  Thats not such a bad thing, and can actually be great for our health and weight.  Although exercise is extremely important, equally as important is the amount of calories we put in to our body.

Eating slower is tough in the fast paced life for many Americans, but can go a long way in helping to shed or keep off those extra pounds. It all comes down to the simple formula, calories in minus calories out.  Try to take a little more time to enjoy your food at each meal and keep a few of those unwanted calories out of your diet.

A couple of good articles that go along with these follow.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/12/04/fn.beck.griggs/index.html

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2010/01/weight-loss-slower-eating-helps-with-weight-loss-children-and-obesity-mandometer.html

Nexium keeps its stranglehold on the Heartburn Market

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

On Friday, January 8th, 2010 Astra Zeneca, the maker of the heartburn medication Nexium signed a deal with generic drug makers to stop the production and release of a generic version.  In simpler terms, Astra Zeneca paid generic drug manufacturer Teva to not produce a generic form for Nexium.  Although its not reported how much the deal was worth, it is likely a hefty figure.  In 2008, Nexium had almost $5 billion in revenue!

As we reported several weeks back, there are other more cost efficient options for as little as $20/mo.  To view that article follow this link.

To view the original article explaining this deal between Astra Zeneca and Teva, click the link to the Consumer Reports site.

For coupons from Astra Zeneca for those of you that can only seem to get relief from the Purple Pill, follow this link to the Purple Pill Savings Card.

The Hearing Aid Stigma

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

Do you find yourself asking others to repeat themselves often?  Or, do you have a family member who often asks you to repeat him or herself?  If so, it could be time to have that unpleasant conversation about hearing aids with a friend or loved one!

Hearing aids are more than just sound amplification tools used to help one understand an audible message, they are devices that can truly increase the quality of life.  This quality of life reaches far beyond that of just the user, and improves it for those around the user especially for a spouse, co-workers, or kids.  So why is it that more people don’t use these devices, especially baby boomers?  It has to do with a combination of acceptance that our ears aren’t as good as they once were, money, and most importantly the social stigma of showing a sign of imperfection.  The same could be said for people who wear glasses, braces, or even a joint brace although these are more common and therefore more accepted.

If you’re ready to tackle this issue and help yourself or someone around you, read this guide from Consumer Reports at the address below.  It has several articles, checklists, and buying guides to help you make the right choice about picking a hearing device best suited for you or your loved one.

Click below to view the Consumer Reports Hearing aid guide and resources.
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/home-medical-supplies/hearing/hearing-aids/overview/hearing-aids-ov.htm?EXTKEY=HNAA6N9C