Pharmacomedy

In this episode, Cory shares a story about a patient who controlled their diabetes by watching an informercial. Unlike Cory, they were not suckered into purchasing a product (or two), but still got the results promised. We also delve into the best infomercial ever produced, The Magic Bullett (link below), and that the best interventions are often the simplest. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6KNpmRNyJM

In this episode, we try to get to the bottom of PBM's and exactly what purpose they serve. Is it saving money on prescription medications, or being so evil they make laywers look good? We then discuss gag rules, clawbacks, and the reality that if PBM's did not want to be thought of as evil, why would they characterize their polices with such sinister langauge. Finally, Zaq comes to terms with the reality that physicians and pharamcists have little control over medication prices, and what we as healthcare workers can do when navigating the complex process with patients (spoiler alert, frustratingly little).

 

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/11/health/pharmacy-gag-rule-trump-lower-drug-prices/index.html

https://kjzz.org/content/611719/bill-would-allow-arizona-pharmacists-tell-patients-about-cheaper-prescription-drug

In the second part of our review of the 49 "Secrets" your pharmacist won't tell you, we begin to realize that maybe the secret is there are only 3 secrets worded 49 different ways. 

https://www.rd.com/health/healthcare/pharmacist-wont-tell-you/

In the first of a two part series, we look at the absurd 49 "secrets" this Readers Digest Article says your pharmacist isn't telling you and we finally answer the question "Are pharmacists humans or robots?"

 

https://www.rd.com/health/healthcare/pharmacist-wont-tell-you/