Editorial: The Blind Leading the Blind; Let's Open Their Eyes

Never have I seen such clambering around, fault-finding, egotism, grabbing at straws, and forcing a camel through the eye of a needle as I have in our elected officials in Washington over the past few months. It's interesting that they generally have minimal qualifications to stand for election (age, citizenship, etc.) and when they arrive in Washington, all of a sudden they become the experts on how to handle everything.

Well, we have seen in the past couple of months that these "experts" don't know everything. In fact, it's interesting to look at how many of them have not even been able to handle their own personal lives and personal finances. Now, they are in charge of billions and trillions of dollars, and we expect them to make the right decisions! It just doesn't work that way.

It seems that most of the times when the government steps in to fix something, it gets worse�and this is to be expected because with every "fix," there are hidden agendas and "pork" embedded in the legislation. Not only that, but their decisions are based on minimal input; much of which is from individuals that may or may not be qualified but they are vocal and work at getting their way.

Why am I writing on this? Well, before long our elected officials are going to be working on health care. It seems they like the programs in Europe, Canada, and other countries better than ours. However, I don't think they really understand what happens when government takes over health care�they need to look at these countries in great detail. As mentioned in this column several times in the past year or so, these countries are going broke and are rationing health care.

As pharmacists, we have a lot at stake in this issue. If you look at how pharmacy payments have changed over the past 40 years and how we are making less and less while working more and more, something is going to happen if all pharmacists don't get vocal.

Think about it, most pharmacists are going to basically be working for the government in the future if our elected officials have their way. Is this what you want? If not, get active and involved in your national pharmacy associations. If we don't give our elected officials valid data and information upon which to make decisions (i.e., open their eyes), someone else will be giving them the information they want them to use. But�it's up to you!


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief

Prescription Spending Growth Rate Slows
National health spending grew in 2007 at the lowest rate in nine years, mainly because prescription drug spending increased at the slowest pace since 1963, the government reported. But other types of health spending rose at a brisk pace, pushing the total to $2.2 trillion, or a record of 16.2 percent of the gross domestic product. Spending averaged $7,421 for each person. Total health spending rose 6.1 percent, compared with a 6.7 percent increase in 2006.

The report, published in the journal Health Affairs, offers the most current and comprehensive data on the nation's healthcare sector, providing a context for the sweeping changes that President-elect Barack Obama has promised.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/us/06healthcare.html?_r=1&ref=us

Skipping Medications to Save Money
Strapped for cash, thousands of Americans are skipping medication doses, shunning doctor visits and forgoing diagnostic tests to save money.

It is estimated that almost half of the public have postponed health care, did not fill a prescription, or skipped a medical test, immunization or mental health treatment because of the cost, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Health care is as daunting to consumers as job insecurity, mortgage payments and credit card debt, the nonpartisan group says.

Self-neglect, however, is no solution. Cutting back on health care without consulting your physician or pharmacist is a very risky decision. It may not only have an impact on your health, but also have a worsening economic consequence that will lead to greater costs.

Over 10% of people are cutting pills in half, taking them less frequently or "doing something" their doctor did not recommend.

Giant Food, for example, will offer free generic antibiotics to needy customers until March 21. Wal-Mart offers $4 prescription deals on 300 drugs, while Walgreens' Prescription Savings Club gives member discounts on more than 5,000 brand-name and generic medications for $20 a year. Target and Wegmans offer similar deals.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/06/health-on-hold-in-sickly-economy/

Lawmaker Urges Drug Disposal System
A state lawmaker wants to make drug companies responsible for disposing of unused medicine that could end up in the environment or be abused by teens.

Rep. Dawn Morrell of Washington State says she'll push legislation requiring pharmaceutical companies to set up and pay for a statewide drug disposal program, much in the way that electronics manufacturers are now required to recycle TVs and computers.

"We feel it's their responsibility," said Morrell, who is a nurse. "We can't have them in the environment and in the drug cabinets for our little kids."

She has the support of a coalition of local governments, pharmacists, environmentalists, and others who say it's a safer alternative to flushing drugs down the toilet or drain.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/394415_drugs01.html

�we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead!
�banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they already know there is not enough money in the account!
�people believe you when you say there are four billion stars; but have to check it out when you say the paint is still wet!
�we keep running over a string a dozen times with the vacuum cleaner. Then, we reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance!

Laugh! Smile! Be kind! Others like you better that way.