Hedva Barenholtz Levy’s Post

Could you imagine if there wasn't a community pharmacy in your county? I'm grateful to not have that concern where I live, but I know "pharmacy deserts" are a real thing. It is detrimental to our already broken healthcare system. From this article: "Pharmacists play a much bigger role than just counting pills and putting them in bottles...They’re looking for dangerous drug interactions and allergies. Or they’re listening to a patient’s symptoms and realizing that they might be having a reaction to a medicine." I am concerned when insurance plans force patients away from a local pharmacy by making people use their mail order pharmacy. The value of the pharmacist-patient relationship is consistently under-valued; I think that is part of why I wrote "Maybe It's Your Medications." October is American Pharmacists Month. THANK YOU to all the pharmacists filling prescriptions, catching interactions and inappropriate dosages, and everything else you do to help patients access quality medications! Pharmacists have an integral role in the medication use process #pharmacists #americanpharmacistsmonth

To my St. Louis area connections -- please help me spread the word: What are 3 ways you can prevent an adverse drug event? Meet me at Ladue Pharmacy on 10/9/24 (Wednesday), 2 to 4 PM to find out! I'll be there to answer questions and sign copies of my book, "Maybe It's Your Medications." Let's talk about ways to be more safe and involved with your drug therapy. ALSO: Schedule your flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines at #laduepharmacy. Support your independent pharmacies!! See you on Wednesday! #laduepharmacy #AmericanPharmacistsMonth #MaybeItsYourMeds #books #authorevents

I want to repost this because people need to understand what PBMs are and how detrimental the lack of transparency is to independent pharmacies, patient care, and access to drug therapy. The last five or six paragraphs in this linked article describe the PBM problem. #PBMreform #pharmacy

I’m enjoying my time at the certified senior advisors national conference this week. I Presented today on potentially inappropriate medications in older adutts—the AGS Beers Criteria. Lots of engagement. Great networking. Thank you to Ann Witherspoon, MBA, CSA and Jay Kweskin CSA and all the CSAs nationwide doing such great work for our older adults! #safemedicationuse

If you are not familiar with why we need PBM reform, this article will be helpful. #PBMreform #pharmacy

For my St. Louis connections (please repost and share with your connections): I'm teaching a session on September 12th in Clayton at St. Louis Oasis (lifelong learning program). I'll be talking about the evolving nature of medication research; how & why recommendations change over time; and how to stay informed. Please share with clients, colleagues, caregivers who enjoy a little educational diversion now and again! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! #pharmacy #STLOasis #safemedicationuse #education #olderadults https://lnkd.in/gyASSBHT

Another great topic for caregivers by my colleague Linda Priaulx. She explains everything so clearly and in consumer-friendly language. Her podcast is a great resource to share with others. This week she addresses a key topic about lifestyle and nutrition choices that can impact dementia risk. #dementia #healthylifestyle #healthybehaviors #healthyaging #caregivers #podcast

Apparently, online pharmacies are growing in popularity compared to brick & mortar pharmacies. (I presume the focus here is on patients who have the option to choose.) So sad that consumers don't see the value of the patient-pharmacist relationship. How can we turn that around? Why are people surprised when they finally reach out to their community pharmacist and suddenly learn how much the pharmacist actually can help them? #pharmacy #healthcare #patientcare #healthyaging

In this Viewpoint in JAMA (6/27/24), Nina Jain, MD & colleagues describe the problems with nontransparent drug pricing and its impact on value-based care arrangements for accountable care organizations (ACOs). In recommending ways to overcome the challenges, they propose that insurance plans design formularies based on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness rather than rebates. "For example, preventive drugs could be placed in a separate category with low or no out-of-pocket costs, similar to how screening services like mammograms are required to have no cost sharing under the Affordable Care Act." They use the example of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with diabetes and kidney disease saving on dialysis costs. What a concept to encourage access to medications that can lead to long-term benefits and ultimately lower health care costs. How does this resonate with others? #healthcare #pharmacy #diseaseprevention #healthyaging