As a follow-up to my recent post on doing your homework on prescription drugs, it’s time to talk about the non-prescription, homeopathic, or alternative “remedies” that are so popular nowadays.

The AP analyzed FDA side effect reports, and has found that many homeopathic remedies are, at best, mostly worthless, and, at worst, potentially harmful. Take, for instance, the example presented on Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel and Nasal Swabs, which may have caused anosmia (loss of one’s sense of smell) in hundreds of people.

Why did it take so long for information like this to come to light? Federal checks for safety, effectiveness, or ingredients are not required for homeopathic remedies. How can this be, you ask? Well, in 1938, a trained homeopath and senator, Royal Copeland, managed to pass a law that gives homeopathic remedies the same legal status as pharmaceuticals, and the law has been in place ever since.

The AP found out many things about homeopathic remedies, including the fact that many can have as much as 10% alcohol or more. Homeopathic remedies, of course, don’t have to meet the FDA’s strict limits on alcohol in medicines. Other homeopathic remedies are derived from prescription drugs or poisons like strychnine, snake venom, and arsenic. Talk about selling snake oil!

This blog post is not meant to strike fear into the hearts of readers. Rather, it’s to further highlight the need of people to DO THEIR HOMEWORK. For example, we all want our colds to go away faster; however, many scientists and doctors have shown that taking homeopathic remedies that claim to make colds go away faster don’t actually work. It’s actually better to stick to your mom’s and grandmother’s remedies – lots of (preferably hot) liquids and lots of rest. Chicken soup actually does have many healing qualities (and as far as I know, no one has ever lost their sense of smell by eating chicken soup!).

Remember, when it comes to your health, you are the only one who knows your body – and you’re also the only one who has to live in that body. It’s good to explore all options, just make sure that no matter what option you’re exploring – be it on the advice of a medical doctor, a homeopath, or your mom – do your research. Make sure that you’re not the victim of a snake oil salesman.

Related article: AP IMPACT: Zicam not alone in side effect reports

I just finished reading an article from the June issue of SELF Magazine, Bad Bargain: The Dangers of Generic Drugs. The article discusses some hidden dangers of generic drugs, from bad reactions to poor manufacturing processes to a failure on the part of the FDA to properly regulate. I have two thoughts around this article.

First, I myself once had an incredibly bad reaction to a generic drug. The mail order pharmacy I used switched one generic for another (my prescription was for generic A and for some reason, they instead sent me generic B). I had never had any problems with generic A, but generic B caused severe side effects that I had not experienced with generic A. I called the pharmacy and they very nice lady immediately sent out a replacement of generic A. Could this have happened with a brand name drug? Absolutely. It just goes to show that there are differences between all drugs, and it’s important for you to know your own body and do your homework. You can’t expect doctors or pharmacists to know how you are going to react to a specific drug. A year later, when it was time for a new prescription, the pharmacy once again substituted generic B (I don’t know why there was no note in the file not to do so, but there wasn’t). I immediately called and they sent out generic A.

Several of the stories in the article talk about people who went through side effects for months, saw multiple doctors, and never once mentioned that their prescription had been substituted. You can’t expect your doctor to magically know the answer to the problem – if you have side effects that you didn’t have before, TELL YOUR DOCTOR.

Second, in a perfect world, the FDA would be able to test each and every pill before it reaches the patient’s mouth. Unfortunately, as we all know, we don’t live in a perfect world. Do your research. Generics are a great way to save money. There are many websites that allow you to compare brand name drugs with their generic alternatives. When your doctor prescribes a drug, ask about generics. He or she may be able to suggest generics, or may want you on a brand name for a specific reason. Also, when researching generics (and brand names, for that matter), go online and do some research. Not just the company’s website; look for other places where the company is mentioned. For example, in this article, Ranbaxy Laboratories ended up being the subject of a huge FDA investigation. That’s the kind of information you won’t find on the company’s website.

The comments to the online article are interesting. Several people are telling their own personal horror stories, while others pose their opinions on why much of the research in the article is wrong. Either way, one thing is clear: WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, DO YOUR HOMEWORK. The only one who is going to know for certain how a drug affects your body is YOU. Don’t expect your doctor, your pharmacist, or the FDA to have all the answers. The best way to save money on health care is to be a good consumer. It may take a little extra time, but it can have a big pay-off, both physically and fiscally.

Has Kaiser successfully managed to create the ultimate in one-stop shopping?

It is now possible to grab some fresh, organic produce on the way out of your doctor’s office after your annual physical, or learn a tasty new cooking technique during monthly cooking classes. Both options are available at the Kaiser Permanente in Baldwin Park after a recent partnership with Cal Poly Pomona. Kaiser is already touting the success of their recent partnership, piloted by Dr. Preston Maring, a physician working out of Kaiser’s Oakland Medical Center. A local hospital employee in Oakland has lost 50 pounds, and many employees brag about cooking new dishes. Dr. Marin has taken this model and expanded on the concept, establishing a similar program at GM-Toyota’s New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant in Fremont, where the market serves 5,000 employees.

In the increasingly stressed out, fast-paced world that we live in, could this type of collaboration become more common?

“Kaiser Permanente Farmers Markets Put Nutrition Within Reach” (MacVean, Los Angeles Times, 5/20).

For the past several weeks, the swine flu outbreak has been an ailment whose presence in the media has been virtually inescapable. Numerous articles, bulletins, and erstwhile diatribes have been produced in rapid succession informing the public about this infamous influenza strain and what precautions you can take to prevent it from infiltrating your body. And when it looked like the frenzy would taper off, the report of the country’s first confirmed swine flu fatality this week caused a slight renaissance of urgency. However, amidst all of the media devotion, very little is being said and done to re-enforce the need of receiving an annual flu shot. This is a shame, because a golden opportunity is being missed.

Obviously, it is imperative during this swine flu outbreak that employers continue to provide their staffs with a goodly amount of information regarding the virus and how to fight it. However, it could be just as important to use the swine flu as a springboard, encouraging employees to embrace the concept of annual shot when the next flu season comes around. Apart from the times when a dramatic case like the swine flu grabs a foothold in mass media, people tend to gloss over the vital significance of taking the precautions necessary to protect themselves from influenza strains. But, since we are in the throes of a prevalent strain that is at the forefront of people’s minds, it would make sense to have the utter importance of receiving a flu shot be fiercely reiterated, even if we are a few months away from the traditional flu season. Granted, there is currently no vaccination available to combat the effects of swine flu. However, that issue should absolutely not detract from the fact that there are a host of other influenza strains that could potentially wreak similar shades of internal havoc, and their potential nastiness can be rendered moot through the power of a vaccine.

And make no mistake: Taking a flu shot is indeed an important undertaking, for reasons that are obvious on a small scale and in a big picture setting. In addition to helping to fight off a nasty, unwanted employee illness, it also combats against business-related ailments such as missed time, decreased production, and lowered morale. When viewed from that added perspective, the concept of talking up an annual flu shot amongst the workforce should look quite attractive proposal for all employers to undertake, if not a crucial one.

Straight from the "you must be kidding me column" comes a recent court ruling that will allow teenagers to purchase the Plan B (morning after pill) without speaking to a doctor or their parents. According to U.S. District Judge Edward Korman, "The record shows that FDA officials and staff both agreed that 17-year-olds can use Plan B safely without a prescription." And in just a few short weeks they will thanks to Judge Korman’s order.

Birth control pills require a doctor’s prescription and although more powerful, the Plan B pill will not. In a country where most states will not allow teens to buy spray paint, get a tattoo or a body piercing without a parent’s permission, it is okay for them to have a powerful drug that could end a pregnancy?

What type of message are we sending to our youth? Feel free to insert whatever moral argument you want here, there are many.

From a healthcare expense perspective, have you ever pondered the financial implications for all Americans when a reckless judge applies policy changes, such as this? I suspect there will be cases of drug reactions, sexually transmitted diseases from unprotected sex and teen pregnancies. All of these outcomes bear some expense. Is the drug manufacturer going to share profits to cover these costs? Is the judge going to be responsible or the FDA?

No, the expense will play out on the backs of private insurance companies and State and Federal healthcare budgets as it has every other time the courts legislate a healthcare policy change. What that means is taxpayers and consumers of private insurance lose. Thank you Judge Korman, this is just what we need, more medical inflation.

The Senate passed the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) late last night by a 66 to 32 vote, paving the way for coverage for an additional 4.1 million kids.

Read the rest of the story here.

“Going Green”, has been one of the latest trends to hit Corporate America. In the last few years I have heard more “carbon footprint” and “carbon offset” discussions than I wish to count. Everything seems to be printed on recycled materials these days and there are recycling bins for virtually everything. Despite all of the green hoopla, those of us in the insurance business see hospitals continuing to perpetuate paper waste one forest at a time.

I am referring to hospitals billing habits. Have you ever received an Emergency Room bill or surgery bill from a hospital? You know, one of those over inflated bills they send every 30 days. They ignore the fact that you are insured and immediately send duplicate copies to you and your insurance company. Better yet, there are professional services bills, facilities bills and bills just for the sake of sending them bills.

If the multiple bill thing did not confuse you, then perhaps the 1,000 percent mark up for services will. I once saw a hospital bill with a charge of $22 for a single Tylenol. Why do hospitals do that? Is it supposed to scare you into paying the bill or make you appreciate the care you received? Just tell us the real price of the supplies and services provided. Enough of the shell game already!

Ironically, once your insurance company receives the bill they have to “re-price” it down to their contracted amount for the supplies or services with that specific hospital. Seems like a lot of extra work. I will never understand why hospitals don’t just start with this step and send the bill with the contracted amount.

With re-pricing comes a whole new wave of paperwork. The insurance company sends you an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) that shows the adjusted price and their payment to the hospital. Odds are, the hospital has sent out another inflated bill as part of their 30 day billing cycle. Once the hospital actually receives the payment and records it, they have to send you an amended bill to reflect the “re-priced” items and the credit. Keep your fingers crossed that it all works out to a $0 balance; otherwise you could be receiving “balance bills” for months to come.

Doesn’t seem like a very efficient or “green” process to me. Who knows, one day we may see a line of recycled paper that was made from hospital bills. Then again maybe not, the cost would be 1,000 percent more than standard paper.

There was a program launched in 2007 that offers huge discounts in prescription costs. The California Rx Card Program is for all California residents and can save many people as much as 75% on prescriptions.

As a resident of California, you and your family have access to a FREE Prescription Drug Card program. Simply download your Prescription Drug Card and receive savings of up to 75% at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies. You may create as many cards as you need. Participating pharmacies include the following: CVS/pharmacy, Walgreen’s, Rite Aid, and K-Mart, as well as thousands of independent pharmacies.

Just go to http://www.californiarxcard.com/, enter your name and e-mail address and they will generate a printable membership card for you. This card is pre-activated and can be used immediately.

This program is available to the uninsured.  So if you or a relative have a prescription that you have to pay out of pocket for, be sure to ask about this program.  I went to CVS last weekend and asked about it.  They knew exactly what I was talking about.  My brand name prescription was only $144 under the program instead of the $224 I usually pay.  What a difference!

Earlier this week the FDA confirmed that 81 people have died and nearly 800 suffered severe allergic reactions to the tainted blood thinner, Heparin. For any watching this Heparin situation unfold, you should be scared – I am. For the rest that believe ignorance is bliss, it just may kill you the next time you take an FDA approved medication. Allow me to explain.

In the wake of this Heparin tainting, a congressional subcommittee questioned the commissioner of the FDA and uncovered some scary facts.

• The tainted Heparin came from China. (Not the first time the U.S. has received poor quality products from China – remember all those lead tainted toys last year?).
• 714 drug making plants in China provide prescription drugs to the U.S.

Scared yet?

• $20 Million is the estimated annual cost to inspect 15% (500) of the 3,249 foreign plants that ship drugs into the U.S.
• Roughly 10% (350) of foreign facilities will be inspected with the FDA’s $13 Million budget in 2008.

Are you scared now?

As I ponder these statistics, I am reminded of all those drug company excuses for the soaring prescription drug prices during the last ten years. You know the line, “Drugs are more expensive in the U.S. because of the FDA trials and the approval process.” My response, “What good is the FDA approval process if we don’t inspect the foreign facilities supplying us drugs?”

Perhaps drug companies should divert some of those huge profits from their advertising campaigns or their “drug pushing cheerleader” workforce or their massive political contributions to funding the FDA inspections of the foreign facilities they are using to supply us with drugs. Besides, they are the ones that moved to these foreign locations to add to their profits. 

With situations like this occurring, you may want to reconsider that next prescription.