maximize their effectiveness, and will monitor for any problematic or potentially dangerous interactions. This is especially important when you are taking medications prescribed by more than one provider. That’s because one provider may unknowingly prescribe a medicine that duplicates medicine prescribed by another provider—inadvertently risking an overdose—or can interact adversely with medicine prescribed by a different provider. Either situation can result in poor health outcomes, and is much less likely to occur if you obtain all medicines and supplements from the same local pharmacy.
Buying medicine online from page 31
may resemble those of legitimate pharmacies. For example, Walgreens-Store.com, an illegal site that was shut down by the FDA, easily could have been confused with the well-known drugstore chain’s website, Walgreens.com. How to protect yourself • Only order medicines online from a trustworthy source, using the tips above.
A legitimate website is licensed by the Board of Pharmacy of the state in which it operates.
• Review and understand websites’ privacy and security policies. • Check with your state Board of Pharmacy or NABP to learn if an online pharmacy has a valid pharmacy license. • If medicine you are taking strains your finances, don’t automatically resort to an online website that advertises cheaper pricing. Ask your local pharmacist for an alternative. Chances are that your pharmacist will call your physician to suggest a change to a less expensive medication if a suitable alternative medicine is available. • Find a local pharmacy you trust. Its pharmacist will help you keep track of all your medicines and how to take them to
Know the risks We all want to save money whenever possible, but please don’t trade your health—and life—for a few bucks. Knowing the risks of purchasing medicine online can help you make wise decisions that protect yourself and your family from the dangers posed by rogue websites. David Hoang, PharmD, Jason Varin, PharmD, and Craig Else, PharmD, are members of the Minnesota Pharmacists Association. Permission to publish the VIPPS® logo granted by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®.
Minnesota
Health Care Consumer December survey results ... Association
Each month, members of the Minnesota Health Care Consumer Association are invited to participate in a survey that measures opinions around topics that affect our health-care delivery system. There is no charge to join the association, and everyone is invited. For more information, please visit www.mnhcca.org. We are pleased to present the results of the December survey.
40 30 20 10 0
Strongly agree
Agree
No opinion
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Percentage of total responses
4. T he decreased hours of sunlight in winter have a noticeable effect on my mood/mental health. 40
32
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Strongly agree
Agree
No opinion
Disagree
Strongly disagree
50 40 30 20 10 0
Strongly agree
Agree
No opinion
Disagree
Strongly disagree
5. In the winter I notice a decline in personal physical activity. 60
50 40 30 20 10 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Minnesota Health care news January/February 2014
No opinion
Disagree
Strongly disagree
3. My diet changes substantively in the winter from what it is in the summer. 50
Percentage of total responses
Percentage of total responses
50
2. I approach maintaining my health differently in the winter than the summer. 60
Percentage of total responses
Percentage of total responses
1. I am more prone to illness in the winter than the summer.
40 30 20 10 0
Strongly agree
Agree
No opinion
Disagree
Strongly disagree