http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/why-free-antibiotics-are-terrible-idea.html medical blog Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:50:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/why-free-antibiotics-are-terrible-idea.html/comment-page-1#comment-90247 Anonymous Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:52:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/why-free-antibiotics-are-a-terrible-idea-and-what-drug-and-grocery-stores-should-give-away-instead.html#comment-90247 I disagree with this criticism. First of all, the antibiotics still require a prescription, so patients can't just get them whenever they feel sick; a physician has to make the mistake, which is a much bigger problem when that happens. Second, the antibiotics that I have seen included are older ones like Amoxil, which I can get for $4 anyway without insurance. This may actually be helpful because it encourages the use of older antibiotics with more limited spectra for diseases like strep throat, where too many physicians are prescribing cephs that are unnecessary and more costly. Another bigger problem in our area is that Mexican grocery stores and pharmacies WILL sell antibiotics over-the-counter without a script, that appear to come from Mexico. I don't understand how this continues, except people at our hospital don't seem to know who to call to report this stuff. I disagree with this criticism. First of all, the antibiotics still require a prescription, so patients can’t just get them whenever they feel sick; a physician has to make the mistake, which is a much bigger problem when that happens. Second, the antibiotics that I have seen included are older ones like Amoxil, which I can get for $4 anyway without insurance. This may actually be helpful because it encourages the use of older antibiotics with more limited spectra for diseases like strep throat, where too many physicians are prescribing cephs that are unnecessary and more costly. Another bigger problem in our area is that Mexican grocery stores and pharmacies WILL sell antibiotics over-the-counter without a script, that appear to come from Mexico. I don’t understand how this continues, except people at our hospital don’t seem to know who to call to report this stuff.

]]> http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/why-free-antibiotics-are-terrible-idea.html/comment-page-1#comment-90216 Kevin Donahue Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:13:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/why-free-antibiotics-are-a-terrible-idea-and-what-drug-and-grocery-stores-should-give-away-instead.html#comment-90216 In our area, they do not dispense the medication without a doctor's prescription. I personally feel that antibiotics are OVER-prescribed; however, I have to hang that on the doc's instead of the pharmacies. In our area, they do not dispense the medication without a doctor’s prescription. I personally feel that antibiotics are OVER-prescribed; however, I have to hang that on the doc’s instead of the pharmacies.

]]> http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2009/03/why-free-antibiotics-are-terrible-idea.html/comment-page-1#comment-90215 Dr. IKE Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:37:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2009/03/why-free-antibiotics-are-a-terrible-idea-and-what-drug-and-grocery-stores-should-give-away-instead.html#comment-90215 And lowering the prices on fresh fruit and vegetables would be great, too! Well, speaking for myself as a shopper, anyway. And lowering the prices on fresh fruit and vegetables would be great, too! Well, speaking for myself as a shopper, anyway.

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