Thank you so much for your article. I am starting to experience the refusal at my own local CVS Pharmacy after being an honest customer for 7 yrs. Today I was told that they not only will not fill my narcotics but they won’t fill any other regular meds. I’m a Type I Diabetic. I was also told today that all pharmacists in the area have been told to refuse me. In other words, I’ve been blacklisted. For being sick. I’ve offered to give them all of my medical records from the past 10 years. I don’t want to bore you with all of them except that the lining of my bladder and intestines is completely deteriorated. It all started with one pharmacist 2 yrs ago who told me she wouldn’t fill because her Uncle died of a Heroine overdose. I suggested she work in a drug rehab facility. She also told me how dare I be pleasant and have my 4 yr old daughter around a sick person. You guessed it. Two years later and she’s the boss. I’m a white 39 yr old and I can’t wait to quote the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I’m also legally disabled and on social security. I have done nothing to make myself sick nor do I want to be sick. To be honest, the meds work less than half the time and my sugars are running from 300-550 due to pain. I’m ready to testify in a congressional hearing, stage and sit in…Something. I guess my question is if I do file complaints with the links below, how long does it take to get a response?  How much longer do Pharmacists call the shots over medical doctors?  My own MD called today and sadly called me back with the news that they had every right to do what they’re doing. On the basis, and I quote, “I’m just not comfortable with you.”  They all said that. It’s not like I live in Florida, see a doctor in Tennessee, and live in Georgia. (I do live in Georgia).  I don’t know what else to do.

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19 Statistics That Prove Mental Illness Is More Prominent Than You Think

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/01/mental-illness-statistics_n_6193660.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000030

Whether you’re aware of it or not, chances are you know someone who has been personally affected by a mental health disorder.

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and other mental health disorders are growing in numbers.

And while mental illness is starting to be considered the serious medical condition that it is, when it comes to healthcare, we still have a long way to go before mental health patients are treated with the respect afforded physical health patients. Research shows there’s still stigma surrounding these disorders.

Below are 19 statistics that prove these disorders touch more people than you might think.

61,500,000

The approximate number of Americans who experience a mental health disorder in a given year. That’s one in four adults.

$100,000,000,000

The estimated economic cost of untreated mental illness in the U.S. This includes unemployment, unnecessary disability, substance abuse and more.

70 – 90%

The percentage of individuals with mental illness who saw improvement in their symptoms and quality of life after participating in some form of treatment.

800,000

The estimated number of people globally who die by suicide each year.

25%

The approximate amount of people with a mental illness who feel that others are not compassionate or understanding toward those suffering from one of the disorders.

350,000,000

The number of people worldwide who are affected by depression.

79%

The percentage of suicides that are completed by men.

40,000,000

The number of adults who suffer from anxiety disorders in the U.S.

30%

The number of college students who reported feeling depressed to the point where it negatively impacted their ability to function. Approximately 7.5 percent of college students also reported earlier this year that they seriously considered suicide in the last 12 months.

22

The (potentially underestimated) number of veterans who die by suicide each day, according to a 2013 report by researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

10%

The percentage of children and adolescents whose mental and emotional disorders disrupt their day-to-day lives.

3,500,000

The number of Americans who suffer from schizophrenia. The disorder usually develops between ages 16 to 25.

60%

The percentage of adults who didn’t receive mental health treatment in 2012.

6,100,000

The number of individuals in the U.S. who suffer from some form of bipolar disorder.

21%

The percentage of mothers polled in a recent BabyCenter survey who stated they have been diagnosed with postpartum depression. Approximately 40 percent of them did not seek medical treatment.

5,200,000

The estimated number of adults who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder in a given year.

7

The number of people who die by suicide per hour in the Americas.

11%

The percentage of adolescents who have a depressive disorder before the age of 18.

90%

The percentage of people who die by suicide who also had a mental health disorder.

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Click to enlarge

cause of deaths in United States

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CVS Health Bets Big on HIT (Health Info Technology)

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/page-1/TEC-310744/CVS-Health-Bets-Big-on-HIT

From the article:

We’re constantly working to invent things… We have a unique set of assets that no other company in the healthcare or retail space has, given we are the only player that has a national retail pharmacy, retail clinics, a mail-order pharmacy and pharmacy benefits manager division, and specialty pharmacy services all under one corporation… We also have 17 years of experience and data from our ExtraCare program, the gold standard in the industry, which means we know our customers

We’re hearing directly from our customers that they’re looking to leverage digital technology as an extension of the in-store experiences as well as to help manage their health.”

CVS has technological experience and a trove of data, Tilzer says.

“We approach digital innovation with an eye toward creating tools that help… customers manage their medications, adhere to prescribed therapies and take care of their health more easily. We are making a real impact and also transforming the role a retail pharmacy like ours can play.”.

Imagine this.. CVS Health is going to have all the data on some pts.. how much control are they going to try and impose on those within their “system”

Next time that a CVS Pharmacist tells you that “I’m not comfortable” … maybe you should share the company’s policy about helping pts adhere to their prescribed medications !

 

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Plan B Challenge in Washington Hits 9th Cir.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/12/01/plan-b-challenge-in-washington-hits-9th-cir.htm

From the article:

Judge Susan Graber

Stormans’ attorney, Kristen Waggoner

 Waggoner conceded that the other pharmacies the board elected not to pursue did not face complaints, but said the board still “chose deliberately” not to pursue violations.
     This shows that the state was not just trying to protect patients, Waggoner said.
     “You don’t think that timely delivery of medications to patients that has been prescribed by their physicians is an important right for the state to protect?” Graber said.

 

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http://www.whas11.com/story/sports/2014/11/30/seven-biggest-health-problems-americans-face/19711103/

1. Hypothyroidism

2.High cholesterol and high triglycerides

3.Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease

4. Breathing disorders

5.High blood pressure

6. Diabetes

7. Depression and anxiety

Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Cymbalta fell just below Lantus Solostar in number of prescriptions. Cymbalta is the leading treatment for depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates that 14.8 million Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a major depressive disorder each year. Around 3.3 million have persistent depressive disorder, a form of depression that lasts for two or more years. Generalized anxiety disorder affects around 6.8 million adults in the U.S.

Since depression and anxiety are common among pts with chronic pain.. I wonder where they got these numbers ?

Common thread for common diseases

One thing that stands out about several of these common diseases affecting millions of Americans is that many people have one or more of these conditions — but don’t know it. This underscores the importance of getting a checkup on a regular basis.

Regardless of what the Gallup survey found, the odds of you getting Ebola are very low. On the other hand, the chances of you or someone in your family already having one of these seven conditions could be higher than you might think. Perhaps the truly biggest healthcare challenge facing Americans is knowing the status of their own health.

The Motley Fool is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news, analysis and commentary designed to help people take control of their financial lives. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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http://youtu.be/i44bH2HlvZ4

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Review shows health licensing boards voted improperly

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/11/29/health-licensing-boards-voted-repeatedly-without-quorums/nB9ogqpPP9wna8sAyg3XCN/story.html

From the article:

Four Massachusetts health licensing boards met nearly three dozen times over five years without enough members present, casting a legal cloud over numerous votes on disciplinary proceedings, license applications, and investigations, according to an internal audit by the Department of Public Health.

The review, which confirms concerns first raised by the Globe a year ago, found the boards of pharmacy, physician assistants, dentistry, and perfusionists (who operate heart-lung machines during surgery) held 465 votes without a quorum from January 2008 to May 2013. Two observers said they were shocked by the number of votes affected.

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http://youtu.be/6Wr-1_cVpzM

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