US patients "beware of Rx switching"

Given the state of the US economy, when it comes to health care, there is a push by insurers to switch prescriptions written by physicians to  less expensive substitutes. But what looks like a favor to consumers  may be anything but, according to Ivan Abdouch, president of the  Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians. This can have unwanted effects  for patients, prolonging illnesses, increasing hospitalizations and  prompting other health issues. Consumers have the power to get the  medicine they need - and that their physicians prescribed - by asking  pharmacists four important questions prepared by Mark Alberts of  Northwestern University.