(PHOENIX, AZ – April 19, 2011) — Today, more than ever before, new prescription drugs are entering the market that allow seniors to live longer and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. But just because a new drug is advertised on television doesn’t make it right for everyone. That’s why SCAN Health Plan Arizona is encouraging seniors to learn more about the prescription drugs they are taking.
“When it comes to taking prescription medications, you need to educate before you medicate,” says Timothy Schwab, M.D., FACP, chief medical/informatics officer at SCAN Health Plan. “That means asking questions so you know what all your medications are for and making sure none of them negatively interact with each other – or with any over-the-counter products you may also be taking.”
According to the National Council on Patient Information and Education, two out of three doctor visits end with a prescription being written. To protect themselves from medication-related problems, when given a prescription Dr. Schwab encourages everyone, including seniors, to ask six important questions:
- What is the name of the medicine, and is that the brand or generic name?
- Why am I taking this medicine, and what is it suppose to do?
- How and when should I take the medicine – and for how long?
- Are there any foods, drinks, other medicines, dietary supplements or activities I should avoid while taking this medicine?
- What are the possible side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
- When should I expect the medicine to begin to work, and how will I know if it is working?
Besides asking questions, seniors also need to provide information. “Each of your doctors should know all the medications you take including vitamins, herbal remedies, pain relievers and dietary supplements,” said Dr. Schwab. If you keep an up-to-date list, take it with you to your doctor appointments. If not, put everything in a bag and take it with you.
SCAN Health Plan Arizona also recommends having a prescription review at least once a year where a healthcare professional looks at everything you’re taking. This will help ensure there are no conflicts, duplications or other safety issues.
In addition, seniors are encouraged to use the same pharmacy for all prescriptions, if possible. “Most pharmacies have computerized listings of all prescriptions they have filled for each patient,” said Dr. Schwab. “These databases can cross-reference drugs to look for any incompatibilities.”
About SCAN Health Plan
For more than 30 years, SCAN Health Plan has been focusing on the unique needs of people with Medicare and today is the fourth-largest nonprofit Medicare Advantage plan in the United States. SCAN serves nearly 130,000 members in Arizona and California. SCAN Health Plan Arizona has been selected as one of the area’s “Best Places to Work” by the Phoenix Business Journal for the past two years, one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies by Arizona Business Magazine, and one of the nation’s top 30 “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine. Further information may be obtained at http://www.scanhealthplan.com.
Members of the news media may contact:
Carol Stevenson
818-597-8453, ext. 3
carols@kevinross.net.
