Bill Passed Allows Pharmacists to Prescribe Emergency Prescriptions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A bill that would allow emergency refills for certain prescriptions has been passed by the Legislature and sent to the governor.

The measure would let people with eye drops get a refill before their previous prescription expires.

The bill would also allow pharmacies to dispense a small emergency dose of other prescriptions if a person's doctor is unavailable to authorize the refill. The medication cannot be a controlled substance and pharmacists must notify the patient's doctor when they provide an unauthorized refill.

The House voted 143-4 to pass the measure Monday. The Senate passed the same bill earlier this month.

By Associated Press

9:10 a.m. CDT, April 30, 2013

Online Legislature: 

Lose Weight with Simple Changes

Simple changes can make a big difference when it comes to your weight.

In fact, weight gain and the inability to lose weight can be attributed to eating too fast, not eating enough vegetables or simply not moving your body enough.

Eating too Fast Can Add Unwanted Pounds

It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full. When you eat too quickly, you've often overeaten. Take smaller bites, chew food longer, and put down utensils between mouthfuls. These simple changes will help you feel fuller on fewer calories, and can help with weight loss.

Eat More Veggies

Vegetables and fruits are high in water which helps us feel full faster. They are also naturally fibrous and help cleanse our bodies of build-up of indigestible items, toxic byproducts and can help you lose weight quickly. 

Get Up and Move

Moving your body doesn't mean trying the most popular new insane workout. These are hard work, and nearly impossible to maintain unless you are a natural body-builder. Instead, incorporate simple movement into your every-day routine.  Get up and walk on a nice day, do chair exercises or lift extra weight as you move around the house. These simple changes can go a long way to getting you in shape and making a difference on the scale.

Weight gain or inability to lose weight could also be a symptom of something more problem-some. Ask your doctor or George's pharmacist if you've made significant changes your excursive and eating habits, have been consistent with thesse change over at least an 8 week period and are still experiencing weight gain or no changes in weight.

Your pharmacists at George's Pharmacy in Springfield honestly cares for you. As a patient, we encourage you to take the initiative to safeguard your health by relying on our staff of highly trained drug information specialists, our pharmacists. If you have a question about your medication, food interactions or other concerns regarding your health, just ask. We can recommend changes or help you determine whether it is time to visit the doctor.

We work hard to ensure the most effective drug therapy for you by tracking and evaluating your medication profiles, and offering in-pharmacy care services like vaccinations, medication therapy and patient education services. We can act as a supplemental healthcare provider to regular doctor visits by offering medication management support in order for you to obtain the best results from your medications.

Call 417.889.7898 or stop by today if you have concerns regarding your health.

We're here to help.

George's Pharmacy
3650 East Sunshine Street
Springfield, Missouri

Holiday Tips for Your Prescription Drugs

Our health possibly the most important gift we have. When we're healthy we are able to give our loved ones the best of ourselves. Have a Happy, Healthy Holiday season and remember the following prescription tips from George's this holiday season:

Don't Run Out
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, sometimes our prescriptions is the last thing we think of. Download George's App or order onion to have the prescription delivered and ready and waiting when you're ready to pick it up in our convenient drive-through. You can also call in your order or we'll fill it immediately while you wait.

Pack Properly
When you are traveling with prescription medications, make sure someone back home has an extra copy of your prescriptions. Also, carry a list of your medications with you, including names and dosages. Keep all medications in their original containers. If you have any injectable medications, carry a letter, on your doctor's letterhead, with the physician's prescription for it. If you are flying, pack your medications in your carryon bag for easy access and so they aren't lost or delayed. If traveling internationally, be sure to check with the American Embassy or Consulate to ensure your medications are allowed in the host country.

Be Aware of Holiday Food and Drug Interactions
Drugs can have adverse effects with foods and alcoholic drinks. Food can speed up or slow down the action of medications, impair absorption of vitamins and stimulate or suppress your appetite. Alcohol intensifies the effects of some medications, and medicines can increase the effects of alcohol. Review your prescription warnings by talking to your doctor or pharmacist or visiting the prescription website. Read more about interactions here.

Remember these prescription tips, and know that at George's Pharmacy care about your health and wellness. Happy Holidays from all of us at George's!

Springfield Residents Get Open Enrollment Answers for Medicare

 With the recent changes in the Medicare program, and open enrollment limited to October 15 through December 7, you may have questions about whether or not you need to make changes to your existing plan. Help is available for Springfield, Missouri residents.

At George's Pharmacy every Tuesday & Thursday through December 7, a Medicare Consultant is available to help you with any questions or concerns you have about your Medicare program.
Call 417-889-7898 to make a consultation appointment today.

Who Needs a Flu Shot?

On Springfield, Missouri on September 25, 2012 Woody P. Snow interviewed George's Pharmacy about Flu shots.

Visit George's Pharmacy on Podbean

Click play on the media player above to hear straight from George's pharmacist, Greg Serocki about the truth in flu shots. Discover who should get them, whether or not there are dangers in getting a flu shot, and how log it takes for the Influenza vaccine.   George's Pharmacy is locally owned and operated in Springfield, Missouri. With fast drive-through service, free delivery in Springfield and a friendly staff, George's is the "Best Little Drug Store In Town."

Generic Perscriptions Can Save You $$$

Generic drugs can save you money. What are considered generic drugs? According to the FDA:

"A generic drug is identical--or bioequivalent--to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at substantial discounts from the branded price."

Below are two lists* for drugs which are soon to become "generic" for the years 2011 and 2012.

2011

Brand Name----Generic Name----Availibility

Uroxatral------------------------- alfuzosin------------------------July
Zyprexa---------------------------olanzapine----------------------October
Lipitor-----------------------------atorvastatin--------------------November
Caduet----------------------------amlodipine----------------------November
Tazorac----------------------------tazarotene cream---------------November

2012

Brand Name----Generic Name----Availibility

Lexapro---------------------------escitalopram--------------------February
Entocort EC-----------------------budesonide----------------------February
Avandia---------------------------rosiglitazone--------------------March
Avandaryl-------------------------glimepiride---------------------March
Avandamet-----------------------metformin-----------------------March
Boniva----------------------------ibandronate---------------------March
Seroquel--------------------------quetiapine-----------------------March
Avapro----------------------------irbesartan----------------------March
Avalide---------------------------hydrochlorothiazide-------------March
Provigil---------------------------modafinil------------------------April
Plavix-----------------------------clopidogrel----------------------May
Viramune-------------------------nevirapine-----------------------May
Lescol-----------------------------fluvastatin----------------------June
Tricor-----------------------------fenofibrate----------------------July
Clarinex--------------------------desloratadine--------------------July
Singulair--------------------------montelukast---------------------August
Actos-----------------------------pioglitazone----------------------August
Exforge---------------------------amlodipine-valsartan------------September
Diovan----------------------------valsartan------------------------September
Diovan HCT----------------------hydrochlorothiazide--------------September
Geodon---------------------------ziprasidone----------------------September
Combivir-------------------------lamivudine-zidovudine-----------November
Atacand--------------------------candesartan---------------------December
Maxalt---------------------------rizatriptan-----------------------December

*these lists are provided by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.

Facts and Myths about Generic Drugs

Fact: 7 in 10 prescriptions in the United States are filled by generic drugs.

Myth: Brand name drugs are safer than generic drugs. Fact: FDA receives very few reports of adverse events about specific generic drugs. Most reports of adverse events are related to side effects of the drug ingredient itself.

To learn more facts and myths concerning generic drugs, please visit the FDA site.
*content credit: reposted from the  pclshealthcare blog