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.
1) Is this the exact drug my doctor prescribed? "Your physician is aware of your medical history and has carefully chosen the medicine he/she believes is right for you after carefully considering all generic options and branded alternatives," Dr Alberts explains.
2) Why are you switching my prescription? "Often it is to keep costs down for insurers who may even be paying the pharmacist a bonus to make the change. Make sure your best interests always come first. Ask your pharmacist to verify the switch medicine has the same benefits and indications as the prescribed medicine," he says.
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