Remember, the camera adds 10 pounds....

First off, Stuart Speedie is Dean Speedie's husband, and is a researcher in health information technology. He's also quoted in this article on telemedicine. This is going to be a short post-but I just want to make one connection that you likely have made already-how could this affect pharmacy? A lot of pharmacist are consultants to nursing homes and review their charts once a month. Well, what if they could do it remotely and talk to patients through these means? Same with MTM-do people have to be in the same room in order to deliver pharmaceutical care? I guess we'll see where this change in compensation leads....

Ethical stuff

First, for dramatic interlude, listen to this song in the background while reading the next two posts. Just open it up in another window and enjoy. That's right, even though no one is looking at this, I'm demanding my own background music. I guess my ego knows no bounds....

Awhile back I threw out that the WSJ, and specifically the WSJ blog, were must reads for health news. Current and up-to-date reporting, good insight, you know, that stuff. And, of course Pharmalot is great for pharma related news too. Well, the New York Times is making a run at them. Last week they had a great piece on research being done on real patients, with real problems. Ever look at a journal article and check out the exclusion criteria? I'm pretty sure I'd be excluded for stepping on a nail as a kid. You would be excluded (yes, you!) for reading this blog (read this) But when used in real life patients, you can't exactly exclude everyone from using your drug. You'll miss out on market share. But then, how would a drug become approved-so many complications/adverse events would show up in the study it'd be laughed at. Now you see why I labeled this "Ethical Stuff."

Well, the New York Times wowed me yesterday with this article looking at the cost of a life. In the time of serious calls for health care reform and complaints of rising health care costs, you have to ask: At what point does it stop? At what point do payors, and possibly, if we go to a single-payor system, does the government, say that it is too much for a drug. For a great analysis, check out the Pharmalot blog, and read the comments, particularly from "Michael" on December 3rd at 9:39am. Obviously, he's an insider for Pharma, but still, it's a strong point.

Things to consider as we get ready for change. Also, be sure to respond to the APhA Call to Action to actually participate in health care reform. If pharmacists aren't at the table, pharmacists won't have a say. It's that simple.

'CCO giving pharmacy some love

Here's the link to the WCCO discussion about decreasing med costs. They mention the $4 generics and prescription assistance plans, but they also throw a shout out to MTM. If only threw out the phrase "The most expensive drug is the one taken incorrectly" they might have helped us out. Oh, and here's the link to the blog discussed as well. Hopefully patients are willing to pay for the money saved....

Why are Obama's cabinets so important?

I mean, really. When my parent's got new cabinets, no one cares. When I do, again: No media attention. But all of a sudden, you're elected Pres-elect, and everyone cares about your kitchen...wait, what? Oh...boy, is my face red.

So, this is kind of huge. Well, maybe not huge, but it's going to have an effect on pharmacy. How? Well, I don't know. Sorry. But, Daschle's reportedly been angling for this for awhile. He supported the failed Hilary Health Care plan from the 90's (first years may not remember that, so here's some info on it) and is up for health care changes. Include the fact that meds take a huge chunk of overall health care (according to this vid) and you can expect some changes to occur in...oh...say...the next four to eight years.

Why tell the real news when the fake news is so much funnier

I go to Comedy Central for news television, and I'm ok with that. I mean-who wouldn't?




Now, that's just plain good stuff. Plus, he hit the news right on the head. Let's run through the highlights.



I'll try and run through the topics he discusses in later posts, but I'll let you enjoy the video for right now.

Cuz I want you back for good...

So, no one read this before, and likely no one will read this now. But you know what, I had a lot of fun writing it last year. So guess what, the blog is back! (Dramatic interlude for cheers and adulation. Shout out to Barack for showing me how to be humbly be showered with praise.)

Why is the blog back? Because there is just too much happening out in the world of pharmacy and health care to not at least make some kind of commentary on it. Sure, you could go to news sites and read the actual journals, but what fun would that be? Here you get few if any pictures, poor wit and sarcasm, and really no value added to the links I post. But hey, if you visit, it makes me feel good. Enjoy the updates.

Pharmacist's in Primary Care?

The decrease in the number of physicians that pursue primary care has been noted over the past few years. The impact of this has contributed to increasing health care costs, and and a decrease in patients seeking primary and preventative care. This dearth of primary care physicians essentially created the market for nursing practitioners and physician assistants. However, this has still not solved the problem.

So, could pharmacists help out? We know that we are trained in disease management-particularly those that are often controlled primarily by medication therapy-diabetes, anti-coagulation, asthma, heart failure....ummm...there's probably more but I read too good. Well, the good folks at JAMA thought they would take a look at what pharmacists can do in the CHF. They have a spin-off mag called the Archives of Internal Medicine. It's pretty good, no People magazine or anything, but I like it.

Anyways, here's the article that they printed in Internal Medicine. I heard about it, where else, but on the Wall Street Journal Blog. Check out the links in the article too-they talk about the decrease in utilization of primary care and increase in specialty reimbursement mentioned above. They also discuss the 10 City Challenge sponsored by the APhA Foundation.

Short rant here: Stupid WSJ also is now making you pay for their Health page. At the least, they still give you access to their blog. But come on, Rupert Murdoch (who recently purchased the WSJ from the Hathaways) let me have access to the WSJ!!! I'm looking for some kind of online petition to make it all free, but I haven't found it yet. Let me know if you do, please.

Will drug companies write my papers?

No, really-will they. Cuz that'd be sweet. Now why do I say drug companies instead of, oh, English Majors? Well, according to JAMA it seems that they are more than willing to write them for academia studying their drugs. CNN has the shortened version of this and some discussion on it. One journal official who looked into it said: "The manipulation is just disgusting. I just didn't realize the extent." Merck counters that 5 of the 6 authors were involved in the Vioxx case against Merck. Slight bias. Great article. Less filling.

Students stepping up...and more

First off: Thanks to Kassy Bartelme and Colleen Flaherty for these next articles. Also, they tipped me off to Pharmacy Practice News. There are two things in life that make me happy: Spring and new pharmacy related news websites. I should probably say Laura too, but she doesn't read this anyways, so whatever.

Ok, back to real news. Medication Reconciliation is one of the goals within JCAHO. Goal 8 if you really want to know. If you work in a hospital, you've likely heard of "Med Rec" and 1) know it's important 2) know it's difficult to get accurate and 3) likely know that pharmacy isn't always involved. Last year at APhA2007, APhA-ASP brought this up and wanted to make it a priority for pharmacists and student pharmacist to the be the health care practitioner that provides this care.

Well, it looks like students CAN make a difference. Proof? Here. By the way, you have register with Pharmacy Practice News, but, ummm....we're entering pharmacy practice, so why not learn about the news within pharmacy practice. Plus, it's free.

Ok, lots of comments could be made on this. Let's do a pro/con debate. Against myself. Or for myself. I get confused. I'd go on Zyprexa, but I might get diabetes.

Pro: Students are learning about med rec. They are engaging patients in the role of a pharmacist, and are showing patients that we can do more than dispense. Patient outcomes are improving.

Con: Students shouldn't be used to do work pharmacists should be using. Hospitals should find a better way to do med rec. Interns should also be trained to do this (who are being paid) not students (who are paying)

Comment below-you can do that you know.

My greatest fear...

I always knew this blog was a bad idea....