Consequences of Missing Prescribed Medications

If a doctor forgets to prescribe or provide you with your medications, it can have various consequences depending on the specific situation and the medication in question. Here are some possible outcomes:

Delayed Treatment: If you require medication for a specific condition or ailment, not receiving it as prescribed can result in a delay in your treatment. This delay may hinder your recovery or management of the condition, potentially causing discomfort or worsening of symptoms.

Increased Health Risks: Certain medications are crucial for managing chronic illnesses or preventing the progression of a disease. If you don't receive these medications as intended, you might be at a higher risk of complications, disease exacerbation, or other health issues.

Missed Benefits: Medications are often prescribed to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, or provide specific health benefits. Not taking them as recommended due to a doctor's oversight could mean missing out on the potential advantages or relief the medications offer.

Adverse Effects: Some medications require careful monitoring or specific adjustments to avoid adverse effects. If a doctor forgets to prescribe a necessary medication or dosage adjustment, it could result in unintended side effects or complications.

Patient Inconvenience: Without the prescribed medications, you may need to go through additional steps to rectify the situation. This could involve contacting your doctor to request a prescription, scheduling another appointment, or visiting a pharmacy to obtain the medication. Such inconveniences can be frustrating and time-consuming for the patient.

In case a doctor forgets to provide your medications, it is important to communicate the issue promptly. Reach out to your doctor's office or healthcare provider to inform them about the oversight and ask for guidance on how to proceed. They can work with you to rectify the situation, provide a prescription, or suggest alternative solutions to ensure you receive the necessary medication as soon as possible.

Comprehensive Medical Pharmacy Services in UAE

The functions of medical pharmacy have greatly expanded in the twenty-first century. Previously limited to medication dispensing, modern pharmacies now play vital roles in healthcare systems and community wellness.

Today's medical pharmacies offer a complete range of products including:

• Curative medications and first aid supplies
• Nutritive supplements and infant care products
• Wellness, lifestyle, and personal care items
• Cosmetics and homecare essentials

Available 24/7, we strive to meet the growing demand for high-quality healthcare products, bringing your medical needs right to your doorstep with just a click.

Medical Pharmacy Services in UAE

The UAE's pharmaceutical sector has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades. Pharmadeel stands among the most trusted names, delivering exceptional healthcare through our client-centered community pharmacies.

With numerous conveniently located pharmacies across Dubai - many operating 24 hours - residents have easy access to:

• Prescription medications
• First aid supplies
• Generic drug alternatives
• Essential healthcare products

Important Considerations

• Always carry your doctor's prescription when purchasing medications
• Verify medication legality with the Ministry of Health's Drug Control Department
• Adhere strictly to prescribed dosage regimens for optimal treatment outcomes

At Pharmadeel, we combine pharmaceutical expertise with uncompromising quality standards to provide:

• Comprehensive pharmaceutical consultancy
• Medical-grade skincare and cosmetic products
• Premium vitamins and nutritional supplements
• Fitness equipment and wellness solutions

All offered at competitive prices throughout the UAE.

Prescribed Medications for Constipation

In case you're experiencing constipation for over a week even after using OTC laxatives, it's important to consult your healthcare provider. Conditions like diabetes or an underactive thyroid may be contributing factors. Many common medications, including antacids, antidepressants, antihistamines, blood pressure medications, pain relievers, and drugs for bed-wetting, can also cause constipation.

Your doctor may adjust doses and timings of OTC products to improve results. If these strategies fail, prescription options are available, though they're more expensive than OTC counterparts.

FDA-Approved Medications for Constipation

Prescription medications for constipation, such as plecanatide (Trulance), tenapanor (Ibsrela), prucalopride (Motegrity), and lactitol (Pizensy), have been approved by the FDA since 2017. These drugs come with a higher price tag—typically around $450-$550 per month without insurance, according to GoodRx.

Secretory Laxatives

Drugs like linaclotide (Linzess), lubiprostone (Amitiza), and plecanatide (Trulance) help increase fluid secretion in the intestines and can also ease stomach pain. These medications are also FDA-approved for treating irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). However, the most common side effect across this class is diarrhea, with Linzess causing serious diarrhea in about 5% of patients.

Other side effects of Amitiza include nausea, which affects around 30% of people at the recommended dosage. Taking the medication with food can reduce this effect.

Osmotic Laxatives

Osmotic laxatives, like lactulose (Constulose, Enulose), work similarly to OTC products like polyethylene glycol, though they are more expensive without offering significantly better results. Few studies have compared prescription and OTC constipation treatments head-to-head, but stimulant laxatives like bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate are ranked higher in terms of effectiveness after 12 weeks.

In some cases, health insurance may dictate which medication is covered, especially for medications like prucalopride, which may only be approved if other treatments have failed.

Conclusion

Prescription medications for constipation can be effective but are often reserved for patients who do not respond to OTC treatments. It's essential to weigh the cost, potential side effects, and insurance coverage before starting these medications.

Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)

Doctor: "Hello Sara."

Patient: "Hello."

Doctor: "Come and have a seat."

Doctor: "So, Sara, I'm providing you with a repeat prescription for your inhaler. You will need to reorder the prescription in about two months to ensure you don't run out."

Doctor: "I see you haven't nominated a pharmacy yet. Would you like to use the electronic prescription service?"

Patient: "Oh, yes! I noticed the poster advertising EPS in the waiting area. Can I use it for my prescription? How does it work?"

Doctor: "Yes, with EPS, all you need to do is nominate a pharmacy that's convenient for you to collect your inhaler from. Order it a few days before you need it, and I will authorize and send it electronically to the pharmacy you've chosen. It could be near your home, work, or even where you shop – the choice is yours."

Patient: "That's really handy! I could nominate the village pharmacy, which is right around the corner from my workplace. I think I saw a poster about it, but I wasn't sure what it meant."

Patient: "So, I can order my prescription from you, then just pick it up during my lunch break or after work? That would be perfect."

Doctor: "Yes, just ask a staff member at the pharmacy to set the nomination for you. I can also set it here – should I add your nomination now so you can use it?"

Patient: "Yes, definitely! That will make my life so much easier, and I won't need to leave work early or send my husband to pick up my prescriptions. Plus, I won't misplace it since it's electronic, right?"

Doctor: "Exactly. The village pharmacy will receive the prescription electronically, and they will have time to prepare the medicine before you arrive. It should be ready by the time you get there."

Doctor: "And if you ever want to change pharmacies or go back to paper prescriptions, just let us know, and we can adjust the nomination or issue a paper prescription."

Patient: "Brilliant! Can anyone use this service? My dad has multiple repeat prescriptions and colostomy bags. He takes the bus to the surgery every time, so this could save him a lot of trouble!"

Doctor: "Yes, it can be useful for your dad too, as long as he nominates the same pharmacy for his prescriptions and medical appliances. Most patients can use the service. It's best for him to check with his GP or pharmacist."

Doctor: "All done! I've sent your prescription, and it should be ready in an hour or two."

Patient: "Great, thanks a lot! Bye."

Understanding the Side Effects of Drugs

Health Perspectives: Traditional vs. Natural Approaches

Throughout history, there have been two main viewpoints on maintaining health or regaining it after losing it. This debate has persisted through the ages and will likely continue into the future.

One perspective believes that physiological states result from external interventions such as drugs and surgery, while the other believes that maintaining health is achieved through living harmoniously with nature, proper nutrition, and cleanliness.

Modern mainstream Western medicine typically adopts the external approach. However, there has been a rise in the popularity of the internal approach due to various factors:

• Dissatisfaction with traditional mainstream medicine.
• Increasing cases of medical 'misadventure'.
• A growing awareness that physiological condition is primarily a personal responsibility, not solely that of overworked physicians.
• Recognition that the medical industry is heavily influenced by drug companies, with natural alternatives often being safer and more econo

Effectiveness of Prescription Monitoring Programs in Reducing Opioid Overdoses

Prescription medicine monitoring programs (PMPs) are being implemented in many American states to control opioid abuse. However, recent studies indicate mixed results regarding their effectiveness in reducing opioid overdoses.

Research Findings on PMPs

Chris Delcher from the University of Florida College of Medicine stated that it is important to assess whether PMPs are truly effective in reducing fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses. In 2018, a study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, which examined thousands of scientific publications.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of California, Davis, and Columbia University, found that out of the analyzed publications, only 10 linked PMPs to overdose outcomes. Even within those 10 studies, evidence of PMP effectiveness in reducing fatal overdoses was low, leaving researchers with inconclusive results.

Unintentional Outcomes of PMPs

Surprisingly, some studies indicated that PMPs may have inadvertently led to an increase in deaths from heroin overdoses. For example, a 2013 study in Philadelphia and San Francisco found that as access to prescription opioids became more restricted, many users transitioned to heroin due to its lower cost and easier availability.

Additionally, in Florida, the implementation of PMPs resulted in a decline in oxycodone overdoses, but there was a simultaneous rise in deaths related to fentanyl, heroin, and morphine. This suggests that reducing access to prescription opioids may drive users to seek other illicit drugs.

Factors That Impact PMP Effectiveness

The study identified three key factors from PMPs that influenced the reduction of fatal overdoses:

• Doctors reviewing patients' medical history before prescribing opioids.
• Frequent updates to patients' prescription data.
• Increased accessibility of patient data to healthcare providers.

Future Improvements for PMPs

Delcher emphasized that improving the effectiveness of PMPs is crucial for addressing the opioid crisis. He suggested refining the monitoring tools to make them more automated and user-friendly for busy healthcare providers. His team is working on enhancing patient risk algorithms, drug dashboards, and data-driven methods to improve the PMP databases.

The Rise of Opioid Overdose Deaths

The opioid overdose epidemic has claimed nearly 1,000 lives between 1999 and 2016. The epidemic has progressed through three distinct phases:

• Phase 1 (1999): The rise in opioid prescriptions, including methadone, natural, and semi-synthetic opioids.
• Phase 2 (2010): A significant increase in overdose deaths due to heroin use.
• Phase 3 (2013): A spike in overdose-related deaths due to fentanyl, often mixed with heroin and cocaine.

The Need for Effective Solutions

Dependence on opioids often starts with a prescription, but when the supply runs out, many individuals turn to illicit drugs. These drugs can have a devastating impact on every aspect of life. Seeking help from a reputable substance abuse clinic is essential to avoid severe consequences.