<p>Fill a prescription, and we get the medication, sometimes with instructions, in a little paper bag, with more instructions stapled on. So now we read the label on the medication, comb through all of the the instructions for any random warnings or side effects (don’t take with grapefruit juice, stay out of the sun, etc.), go online for more info. It’s so fragmented. Why is it like this? There must be a better way.</p>
<p>It’s better than it used to be. At least you can get information, even though you may have to go to multiple sources.</p>
<p>I don’t typically need to go online to get further information. The product information stapled to the bag is usually pretty complete. The bottle simply has instructions for dose/time, so I don’t see this “fragmented” problem you are posting about.</p>
<p>I wish they would put an executive summary of the drug information, then attach the longer version below. I find it rather difficult to sort through all the one-in-a-million warnings and pick out the stuff that applies to you every time.</p>
<p>The prescribing information attached to your prescription bag fulfills the FDA legal requirements. Some states have requirements, too. Stream lined? Keep in mind we are talking about the government here!</p>
<p>And liability issues.</p>
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<p>Any serious information (like not with grapefruit, etc) should be on the bottle. Plus any serious side effects. Common side effects and general info should be on the insert they give you.</p>
<p>The pharmacist/doctor should be going over any major contraindications. Unless you get your meds from different doctors or pharmacies. Then no one will know what’s going on and you’ll have to let them both know what you are prescribed.</p>
<p>Or you can just by a Nursing Drug Handbook from Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.</p>
<p>Yes, Skyhook, something like that might help.</p>
<p>Pharmacies are not legally required to give you any information beyond the OBRA '90 offer to counsel and the FDA mandated drug sheets. Also, we are only liable for any information given to you. If it is omitted, we are not liable. There is different opinions on whether a pharmacist has a duty to warn. </p>
<p>I can differently tell you a lot about the medication but most don’t want the information and/or I don’t have time. Most pharmacies are short staffed. You have to do a dozen things at once. Most pharmacists and techs are extremely stressed out. </p>
<p>The information on the physical rx label on the bottle is regulated. You can only have certain information on it.</p>
<p>That makes sense, Nova10. The pharmacy is always busy and usually there are several people waiting in line. I guess it struck me that the pharmacist or staff has to handle several pieces to fill the order (actual meds, label, info sheets, stapler, little bag, etc.) which seems labor-intensive to have to repeat for each transaction.</p>
<p>The amount of labor has significantly decreased due to computerization. We no longer have to look up each individual script manually to see if a person has refills. The pharmacy that takes the longest to fill a script is actually Target due to their bottles. Their bottles may look pretty but they take forever to prepare.</p>
<p>Why do the Target bottles take longer? I remember the fanfare when they first came out. It was a couple of years ago, I think. Seemed like a good idea.</p>
<p>It takes forever to put on the rings. It normally takes several tries to get them on. Then, you have to fold up a little piece of paper and make sure it fits in the pocket.</p>
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<p>It’s like this for because the FDA strictly controls the exact wording of the product “labelling” - which consists of both the label actually stuck to the bottle and the fold-out insert that is included in the packaging. The labelling represents the scientific findings of the clinical trials that the manufacturer conducted. If some point or condition wasn’t included in the trial it won’t be in the labelling. The manufacturer cannot legally add to or subtract from the labelling without formal FDA permission. </p>
<p>Pharmacists can, however, add additional information and advice based on their own professional knowlege. Thus you are getting overlapping but somewhat different information from two different sources.</p>
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<p>The FDA requires that patients and doctors be informed of EVERY side-effect observed during the clinical trials regardless of how rare. That’s why you get that guy on TV talking faster than an auctioneer in a drug ad. He’s required to mention every single side effect seen, even if it happened only once.</p>
<p>^^^^Ah, yes. That explains that “oily discharge” effect those guys always breeze through really quickly in those commercials.</p>
<p>Drugs reps cannot discuss off label issues with prescribers. However, Medical Science Liasions (MSLs) can discuss off label issues with them. A good number of MSLs are pharmacists. </p>
<p>FDA approves the package insert, not the information sheet given by the pharmacies to the patients.</p>