Being cognizant of medications is important for patients and healthcare professionals alike. It is important to know what a medication is used for, common side effects to be aware of, how much a medication may cost, drug interactions that may occur, and so on. In some circumstances, it is also important to be able to […]
Middle ear infections, commonly referred to as acute otitis media (AOM) by healthcare professionals, are the most common childhood infections in the United States. Approximately 75-80% of all children will experience a case of AOM before the age of 3 years. AOM can be caused by either viruses or bacteria. Most commonly, AOM appears as […]
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic encompassing almost all facets of life, there has been a lot of chatter recently about when a potential coronavirus vaccine might become available. Although a potential coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine is currently being developed and worked upon by multiple companies and agencies, COVID-19 is providing a reminder with what life is […]
Although often overlooked, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are a key component of today’s healthcare system. According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), nearly 81% of American adults utilize over-the-counter (OTC) medicines as a first response to minor ailments. Similarly, it is also noted in one study that OTC products can save up to $34 billion […]
Hypothyroidism is characterized by not having enough circulating thyroid hormone, a condition that affects up to 4.6% of the United States population. It is most commonly experienced by individuals that are over 60 years of age and biologically female. Many different medicines are available to treat hypothyroidism. These medicines, by supplementing thyroid hormones, help the […]
Vitamin aisles at pharmacies typically contain a daunting amount of options. There are standard multivitamins, multivitamins with multiminerals, men’s multivitamins, women’s multivitamins, prenatal vitamins, children’s vitamins, silver multivitamins, various specialty vitamins, and so on. To make matters more confusing, these are all also available in multiple brands with differing ingredient combinations. There’s no singular definition […]
In today’s market, the sheer number of cough and cold products available for purchase make it arduous to know how to differentiate between options in the cough and cold section of a pharmacy. However, between all of the products available, they tend to have similar active ingredients. These products may simply vary by dose or […]
From family and friends on social media that post head-scratching medical advice, to a variety of websites that offer information stemming from questionable sources, and to misinformation being spread via word-of-mouth, it is easy and all-too-common to obtain false medicine information. Below is a listing of trustworthy resources to utilize while seeking information about medicines […]
Similarly to medical doctors, pharmacists work in a wide variety of specialties and practice settings. However, in order to work in different settings, varying types of post-graduate training and certifications may be needed to hold various pharmacist positions. This post focuses on the different types of certifications needed to practice as a pharmacist in the […]
Do you ever walk into the aisles at your local pharmacy and feel… overwhelmed? The vitamin aisle specifically offers no exception. Vitamin sections for online retailers generally fall into the same trap. There are so many vitamin types, brands, and so many different possibilities to consider when going to purchase a vitamin. This article will […]
Joshua has pharmacy practice experience in the community and corporate settings, the outpatient clinic setting, and in the patient care research setting. Joshua’s primary pharmacy-related interests are related to oncology, specialty pharmacy, and community pharmacy. In his free time, Joshua enjoys travelling, frequenting the gym, playing soccer, and exploring fun new weekend destinations. Joshua is […]
Disclaimer: Mandeep Sohal, PharmD and Joshua Murdock, PharmD are employees of CVS Health. Any statements contained herein are solely the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the views of CVS Health, Aetna, CVS Caremark or any of CVS Health’s affiliates or subsidiaries. Are you a healthcare professional? Read the healthcare professional version of […]
Pharmacists are popularly known for helping patients control and improve various conditions, disease states, and other related ongoings through medication-based treatments alone. However, as pharmacists, it is also our duty to help ensure that patients are getting the care they need from a more holistic approach. That is, an approach that combines medications, social-based resources, […]
Pharmacists are one of the most accessible healthcare providers and they play a crucial role on the healthcare team. Most Americans live within a 5-mile radius of a pharmacy. Yet, many patients still have unmet chronic and preventive health needs. For years, pharmacists and pharmacy organizations have been advocating for provider status, which would result […]