Alcohol and Fireworks Don't Mix! Warns National Council on Fireworks Safety

New Year's Eve is a wonderful time to celebrate the start of a new year. And fireworks are a wonderful way of celebrating. However, all too often, New Year's Eve festivities involve excess alcohol. Just like driving and drinking do not mix, shooting consumer fireworks and drinking absolutely do not mix.

If you are at a party for New Year's Eve where consumer fireworks are being shot, make sure that there is a designated shooter who has not been drinking any alcohol. Even a small quantity of alcohol (one beer, a glass of wine) can impair one's judgment and ability to properly set up and use consumer fireworks safely.

Nancy Blogin, President of the National Council on Fireworks Safety, notes: "Each New Year's Eve, consumers are injured because their judgment has been impaired by beer, wine, or another alcoholic drink. The lesson is simple: Alcohol and fireworks don't mix."

In addition, the National Council reminds shooters of consumer fireworks of these other important safety tips:

•Only use fireworks outdoors.
•Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
•Never give fireworks to young children.
•Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
•Always have a bucket of water, or water hose, nearby.
And remember, ALCOHOL AND FIREWORKS DON'T MIX!

The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose sole mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks. For a full list of consumer fireworks safety tips and the Council's safety videos, please visit http://www.FireworksSafety.org

Alcohol and Fireworks Don't Mix! Warns National Council on Fireworks Safety

Pharmacy tracking system cuts med waste at hospital

The pharmacy at a large Ohio hospital is claiming to have reduced waste by 32 percent with the help of a medication tracking system. Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus says missing-medication requests are down to about 90 per day from 150 to 175 since the pharmacy department implemented MedBoard, a product of Bellevue, Wash.-based Pharmacy OneSource, last July.
The hospital expects to save $150,000 this year by reducing pharmacy waste and saving staff time as the system tracks more medications and gets rolled out to additional nursing units. Patients should see medications delivered faster, hospital officials add.
With MedBoard, pharmacists and nurses scan medication labels at each step in the delivery process to track order status and location, and prevent lost doses. "We like to call it the 'FedEx of the pharmacy world' because it tracks the medications that nurses are waiting for just like FedEx tracks a package," Charles McCluskey, Riverside Methodist's director of pharmacy and pulmonary services, tells Healthcare IT News.

fiercehealthit.com

Pharmacy tracking system cuts med waste at hospital

Comprehensive report on Mexico's pharmaceutical and healthcare market

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Mexico Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report Q1 2010" report to their offering.

“Mexico Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Report Q1 2010”

The pharmaceutical market in Mexico will reach a value of MXN114.8bn (US$8.6bn) by the end of 2009, up from MXN109.1bn (US$9.8bn) in 2008. Growth will continue to 2014, reaching MXN153.2bn (US$14.9bn). Per-capita drug spending will rise from US$79 in 2009 to US$133 by 2014. While the rising population should drive demand, we note that the patterns of drug spending in Mexico are changing.
The analyst expects total drug market expenditure in Mexico to increase from MXN153.2 (US$14.95bn) in 2014 to MXN226.9bn (US$25.9bn) by 2019. Our outlook accounts for the expected increase in participation in the Seguro Popular health insurance scheme, which is being promoted by the government. In line with increased medical coverage, BMI also believes people will be more likely to purchase medicines from licensed legal premises instead of resorting to the black market. This should also remove some of the demand for counterfeits, and will marginally reduce the proportion of over-the-counter drugs (OTC) in the total drug market.
Several regulatory issues will continue to dampen generic drug sales. As mentioned, the lack of clarity in definitions between patented, generic and similare is problem. At BMI, we do not include similares in our forecasts. Various regulatory bodies, including the Ministry of Health and the State Employees' Social Security and Social Services Institute (ISSSTE), the Federal Commission for Protection Against Health Risks (COFEPRIS) disagree on the differences. The lack of communication between these authorities is unsurprising and reflects the approach of national sector regulation in the country. Moreover, any agreements on what constitutes a generic is not then openly and clearly conveyed to public relations groups, leaving the public relatively ill-informed, despite the reach and scale of the Mexican media. Since purchasing a majority stake in Ranbaxy, Japanese drugmaker Daiichi Sankyo has been keen to expand its geographical reach. In October 2009, Ranbaxy announced that it is leveraging its marketing subsidiary in Mexico to launch new innovator products from Daiichi Sankyo. In our view, the events are unsurprising - Mexico is the largest market in Central America and the second only to Brazil in Latin America. Maximising Ranbaxy's established presence there is a key strategic move in expanding Daiichi Sankyo's target markets. Ranbaxy's marketing experience in developing markets was an attractive feature for Daiichi Sankyo, particularly as it has been selling over 50 types of medicine in Mexico since 2004. The Indian firm states that its effective sales force and competitive pricing are drivers for growth in Mexico. Furthermore, the patient uptake of new products coupled with the expanding portfolio Ranbaxy can offer through Daiichi Sankyo will mean that patented drugs can also be introduced to the market.


http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c9887b/mexico_pharmaceuti

Comprehensive report on Mexico's pharmaceutical and healthcare market

Payments limited for docs who serve on pharma boards

After much scrutiny over its lack of a solid conflict-of-interest policy, Massachusetts-based Partners HealthCare finally bit the bullet, banning stock payments and limiting fees to high-ranking doctors and executives that reside on the boards of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, the Boston Globe reports. The rules were put in place last Friday to loosen the perceived grip pharmaceutical companies have on the hospital chain, as well as to bring more "transparency" to the academia-pharma relationship.
Physicians also are not allowed to be compensated for appearing at pharmaceutical "speakers bureaus," according to the new policy. An overall ban on such relationships was under consideration, but ultimately was rejected due to what Partners Office for Interactions with Industry director Christopher Clark called "significant benefits."
"[The relationships] give us some insight into how the companies work and how they are doing, and making sure the companies are aware of the academic perspective," Clark said.
The new policy limits pay to $500 per hour for doctors and executives who also serve on pharmaceutical company boards. About 25 vice presidents, clinical department heads and top executives are affected by the new rules, according to the Globe.

fiercehealthcare.com

Payments limited for docs who serve on pharma boards

How Can I Save Money on Prescriptions?

Health care is expensive! For many of us, the cost of health care — including prescriptions — seems to just keep going up. Although how much you pay for prescriptions largely depends on your health care plan, there are ways for everyone to save money on prescriptions.

Generic medications can help you save money on prescriptions. Generic counterparts to many brand name medications are available. The next time you need a prescription medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor if a generic medication will work for you. It is possible for you to save a lot of money on prescription medications this way.

Another way to save money on prescriptions is to obtain a pharmacy discount card. Sometimes these cards require a small fee, but usually they are free. Depending on the pharmacy and its program, you could save quite a bit of money. Perform an Internet search or ask your pharmacist directly about their discount cards.
Changing pharmacies can also help you save money on prescriptions. As more and more pharmacies are trying to compete for business, they are offering incentives for new customers. Customers who switch pharmacies can often get store gift cards or free prescriptions when they fill or transfer a new prescription. Ask specific pharmacies if they offer incentives for bringing your business to their location.
Search for manufacturer's coupons and rebates. These offers might be available on the manufacturer's website, or in magazine ads. You might have to sign up with a website, but in return, you can usually get rebates, coupons, and sometimes free samples or free trials of prescription drugs. Your doctor may also have prescription samples that you can try. Doctors tend to get a lot of different prescription drugs in sample form and many are willing to give them to patients who may not be able to afford prescriptions otherwise. Ask your doctor about samples next time you are prescribed a new medication, or refilling an existing one.

Another way to save money on prescriptions is to ask about hardship programs. Many manufacturers of prescription drugs have hardship programs or patient assistance programs for people who cannot afford them. You may need to qualify as making under a certain income level in order to enroll with a hardship program.

How Can I Save Money on Prescriptions?

Your body's big enemy? You’re sitting on it

Most of us spend our days on our behinds — and it’s killing us

By Selene Yeager

You might not want to take the following stat sitting down: According to a poll of nearly 6,300 people by the Institute for Medicine and Public Health, it's likely that you spend a stunning 56 hours a week planted like a geranium — staring at your computer screen, working the steering wheel, or collapsed in a heap in front of your high-def TV. And it turns out women may be more sedentary than men, since they tend to play fewer sports and hold less active jobs.

Even if you think you have an energetic lifestyle, sitting is how most of us spend a good part of our day. And it's killing us — literally — by way of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. All this downtime is so unhealthy that it's given birth to a new area of medical study called inactivity physiology, which explores the effects of our increasingly butt-bound, tech-driven lives, as well as a deadly new epidemic researchers have dubbed "sitting disease."

The modern-day desk sentence
"Our bodies have evolved over millions of years to do one thing: move," says James Levine, M.D., Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and author of "Move a Little, Lose a Lot." "As human beings, we evolved to stand upright. For thousands of generations, our environment demanded nearly constant physical activity."

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Your body's big enemy? You’re sitting on it

How to Avoid Getting Sick This Holiday Season

You don't have to skip the holiday parties, even though the H1N1 flu is circulating. Just follow these simple tips to staying healthy

Avoid Handshakes

Potential problems start with "hello." If you are at a party and you've just met someone new - or see a long-lost friend/relative - refrain from shaking hands this holiday season. Shaking hands is a great way to pass germs around.

Wash Your Hands

If you do decide to shake someone's hand, wash your hands immediately after. In fact, wash your hands all the time. Every time you touch something, wash your hands. Picking up discarded napkins, or used glasses? Wash your hands. We can't say it enough: washing away germs is the best mode of defense.

Put Hand Sanitizer Everywhere

If you are traveling to a holiday gathering, hand sanitizer should be the first thing you pack. If you are hosting a holiday gathering, place small bottles of hand sanitizer around the room. It'll give guests the hint that you are serious about keeping germs at bay.

Keep House Clean

Of course, you are likely to have your house sparkling clean when the guests arrive. But try to keep on top of the cleaning even as the guests are there, and certainly tackle the cleaning as soon as they leave. Use bleach to wipe down your countertops and clean any surfaces that kids may have had their fingers on.

No Mistletoe

Avoid using mistletoe as decoration this year. A kiss on the lips is an excellent way for viruses to travel for one person to another.

Snack Right

Don't place chips, nuts or candies into large bowls where multiple hands can reach in. Instead, place these snack foods in individual dishes or bowls, so that each guest has their own.

Serve Individual Plates

Serve individual plates of food instead of having a buffet or finger foods.

Individual Drinks

Serve individual drinks. Punch bowls are large surface areas, where germs can breed. Also, dipping your used glass into a punch bowl is just gross. Also, consider ways for your guests to keep track of which glass is theirs, so they don't accidentally drink out of someone else's. Party stores often sell wine charms or colored bands.

Sick? Stay Home

If you are sick - think coughing, fever - stay home!

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http://www.foxnews.com/

How to Avoid Getting Sick This Holiday Season

13 Things Your Pharmacist Won't Tell You

What to bear in mind the next time you visit the pharmacy counter.

1. Don't try to get anything past us. Prescriptions for painkillers or sleeping aids always get extra scrutiny.

2. We're not serving fries in here. I'd think twice about using a drive-through pharmacy. Working there distracts us-not a good thing when it comes to pharmaceuticals.

3. We're human … and we make mistakes (about two million a year). Ask if we use a bar-code system to help keep us from pulling the wrong drug off the shelf or giving the wrong strength of the right drug.

4. Sometimes we can't read the doctor's handwriting either. E-prescribing can help, but as of 2006, fewer than 20 percent of prescriptions were being electronically transmitted.

5. I hate your insurance company as much as you do. "Even if something's working for you, the insurance company may insist you switch to something else," says pharmacy owner Stuart Feldman."I'm stuck in the middle trying to explain this to customers."

6. We can give flu shots in most states.

7. A less-qualified pharmacy technician may have actually filled your prescription. Currently, there is no national standard for their training and responsibilities.

8. Generics are a close match for most brand names. But I'd be careful with blood thinners and thyroid drugs, since small differences can have big effects.

9. I can give you a generic refill that's different from the one you started with. When in doubt, ask. Online resources like cvs.com let you double-check your pill.

10. We're not mind readers, and there's not some big computer database that tracks your drugs and flags interactions for pharmacists everywhere. Use one pharmacy. If you start using a new one, make sure we know what you're taking.

11. Avoid the lines. It gets busy Monday and Tuesday evenings, since many new prescriptions and refills come in after the weekend.

12. Look into the $4 generics offered by chains like Target, Kroger, and Wal-Mart. And it can't hurt to ask your pharmacy if it will match the price.

13. Yelling at me won't help. If I can't reach your doctor and/or insurance company to approve a refill, there's nothing I can do about it. “It's frustrating,” says pharmacist Daniel Zlott, “but I'd be breaking the law in some states if I gave it to you.”



Originally Posted at Reader's Digest

13 Things Your Pharmacist Won't Tell You