Risk for Diabetes

May 16, 2012

Look at these stunning statistics from The American Diabetes Association:

Diabetes is becoming more common with each passing year. A principle way to prevent suffering and death is to increase awareness. The more people know about their risk the better the treatment. Everyone should take a diabetes risk test.  An excellent test is found at http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/diabetes-risk-test/ .  Review your results and share the test with your loved ones – it could save both life and limb.

Posted in Pharmacy by Jessica Alba | No Comments »

New hours for Harmons Pharmacies

May 2, 2012
Phil in Pharmacy

Phil, Pharmacy Manager

This week our pharmacy hours have changed. Our new hours for our pharmacies at West, 7th Street, Ogden, Draper, Brickyard, Cougar, St. George, Taylorsville, District, Orem, and Roy are:

Sunday 11am to 5pm
Monday through Saturday 9am to 9pm

Our new hours for our pharmacies at Station Park, Bangerter Crossing, City Creek, and South Jordan are:

Sunday 11am to 5pm
Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm
Saturday 9am to 7pm

Please visit www.harmonsgrocery.com/products/pharmacy/ for more information about our pharmacies.

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Diabetes Camps 2012

April 18, 2012

Jessica, Pharmacy Manager

The American Diabetes Association sponsors summer camps annually for children 5-18. These camps take place all summer long at several locations across the United States.  Many of these special children, particularly when first diagnosed, feel isolated and confused. Diabetes Camps can provide a way for children living with diabetes to feel more comfortable and confident with their condition.

While at camp, children are able to increase their knowledge of their diagnosis, make friends with others who understand their challenges, speak with health care professionals, and – of course – have fun! These camps run anywhere from 3-7 days, and many of the camps still have openings. Talk to your children, relatives and friends about these camps to see if they might be interested.

Even if none of your children have diabetes, you still have an opportunity to participate. These camps are looking for hundreds of volunteers every year.   For more information, check out this link:  http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/ada-camps/  Let’s reach out and help our special children in every way we can.  Our lives and theirs will be better by our efforts.

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Do you take aspirin?

April 4, 2012
Phil in Pharmacy

Phil, Pharmacy Manager

Aspirin should be avoided in children and teenagers due to an increased risk for Reye’s syndrome. This syndrome can be fatal and generally happens after recovering from a viral infection like chicken pox or the flu. Aspirin and its derivatives can be found in products like Excedrin, Pepto-Bismol, Alka-Seltzer, and many others. Other medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) can be more appropriate alternatives. Pharmacists at Harmons can help you select the most appropriate over the counter medication. More information about this syndrome can be found at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001565.htm.

If your doctor has recommended a low dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks and/or strokes, there is something you need to know. Anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen used for pain can block the benefits of aspirin if you do not take them at the right time. The timing of these medications is important since if not taken correctly this could put you at more risk for a heart attack or stroke. Please talk to your local Harmons pharmacist on the proper timing of these medications.

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Weight Loss and Diabetes

March 14, 2012

Jessica, Pharmacy Manager

Let’s be honest – losing weight is tough for anyone.  Carb counting, insulin monitoring, and sundry medications associated with dieting can prove to be a nightmare! Despite the grind, research shows that losing weight can be key to controlling blood sugar and preventing other health complications. Here are some sensible, weight-loss suggestions you might consider:

  • At the outset, you must CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR. Dieting and exercising decreases blood sugar and needs to be monitored closely.  But with practice and patience, it may be possible to get to the point where you might not need medication!  Ask your doctor to help start and monitor your progress.
  • PAIR UP WITH A DIETITIAN.  These professionals are experienced in finding practical ways to help change your diet. Dietitians can also help find cost-effective ways to eat healthy; ways that will help develop habits that keep weight off. You might want to set up an appointment at your local Harmons to meet with one of our dietitians.
  • SET EXERCISE GOALS.  Start small! Park at the back of the parking lot. Go for a Sunday walk. Use stairs instead of elevators. Visit the park instead of the movies. Exercising more frequently will come more naturally once these habits are established, but don’t forget to challenge yourself.
  • FOSTER A SUPPORT SYSTEM. Losing weight is hard to do on your own. Utilizing your doctor and a dietitian is a good beginning.  You might want to join a local support group.  Family members can prove invaluable, but pick the right ones.  Ask a friend to join you.  There’s a lot to be said about the strength of two, when the going gets tough.

Even losing as little as 5-10% of your body weight can lead to significant results in lowering your blood sugar. Often the hardest part is actually getting started. Talk to someone about losing weight – a public declaration might be just the ticket to start the train down the road.  Set small, reasonable goals. Believe in yourself!  Make today the start of your new life where you’re in control of your diabetes. Good Luck!

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Why can’t I find this medication?

March 7, 2012
Phil in Pharmacy

Phil, Pharmacy Manager

Recent recalls and shortages of popular over the counter and prescription medications have caused lots of media attention and questions from patients. We are working with our wholesalers to get in medications that are hard to get, and their generic alternatives when possible. With prescription medications we can check the stock on hand with all of our pharmacies in the state to see if you can get the prescription at a different Harmons location. At times we may need to work with your doctor to switch to a similar medication that is available. If you are unable to find the over the counter medication you are looking for, you can ask your Harmons pharmacist. We can recommend a generic alternative or a similar medication that is available.

There are some really great websites to get more information about drug shortages. One site is managed by the Food and Drug Administration at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/default.htm. This site also has legislation that has been proposed to prevent and reduce drug shortages. Another site at http://www.ashp.org/DrugShortages is on the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists website and is maintained by the University of Utah Drug Information Center. Both sites list medications that are in short supply and attempt to list the reason for the shortage and the resupply date if available from the manufacture. When the medication is in short supply due to a recall more information can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm.

We have been asked a lot about Excedrin that was recalled at the end of December 2011. A link about this recall can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm286240.htm. We do have a generic alternative you can use in its place.

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American Diabetes Association EXPO & Info

February 22, 2012

Jessica, Pharmacy Manager

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has been an established organization for 62 years, and has been very successful at raising awareness and changing the lives of people living with diabetes.  Harmons is proudly sponsoring “The Diabetes EXPO” for the ADA on the 25th of February.   While researching the EXPO, I happened upon the ADA website – and what a gold mine!  The website has received many awards for its organization and innovation, and contains a wealth of information. It features many tools helpful to those with the disease and those who know someone diagnosed.

One of the most impressive features is the community calendar. By entering your location and a radius, the site displays events in the community. I was surprised to discover that something is going on almost every day of the month including; Support Groups, Management Classes, EXPOS, Seminars, and Activities. Additionally, there are message boards to connect with people in your community.

A portion of the website is dedicated to eating and wellness. You can sign up for a food advisor for FREE! The advisor can help with meal planning, carb counting, and gives you access to HUNDREDS of diabetic friendly and tasty recipes. Furthermore, ideas for exercising and getting motivated to live a healthier lifestyle are provided.

The ADA site supplies all kinds of diverse and useful information:  types of diabetes (including gestational), basics of diabetes, diabetes in the news, and research and development of medications. Additionally there are glucose trackers, management plans, and a risk calculator for you and your loved ones.  These are just a few of the many services the website offers. Check out the site and see for yourself – it will amaze you. http://www.diabetes.org

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Visit us at the Diabetes Expo!

February 8, 2012
Phil in Pharmacy

Phil, Pharmacy Manager

The expo for the American Diabetes Association is being held on Saturday, February 25th. Parking and admission to the expo are free. It is at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy from 9am to 4pm. There will be health screenings, cooking demonstrations by Harmons chefs and dietitians, guest speakers, health care professionals, product and service exhibitors, a book store, and entertainment for the whole family. Harmons is sponsoring the expo, and we invite you to come meet our remarkable chefs, dieticians, and pharmacists. The Harmons booth will feature a “grocery aisle” with our dietitians available to teach you how to read labels and give tips on how to shop to better care for your diabetes. To get more information about the expo and for a list of the speakers, visit the American Diabetes Associate website at http://www.diabetes.org/in-my-community/expo/2012/salt-lake-city-expo-2012/.

Posted in News!, |Pharmacy by Phil Olsen | No Comments »

Vitamin D2 and D3

January 25, 2012
Phil in Pharmacy

Phil, Pharmacy Manager

I was recently asked what the difference is between vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D has become very popular over the last few years and is also being added to fortify some of our food. Most of us are deficient in it since a lot of us don’t get enough vitamin D from our diet, multivitamin, or from the sun. Research has shown several benefits of vitamin D, including preventing some chronic diseases. This research suggests an adult dose of 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D.

A prescription vitamin D 50,000 IU is one of our top medications we dispense. Some people require this really high dose once a week for a few months to get their levels up to a recommended level. This would be monitored by your doctor.

When you are choosing an over the counter vitamin D supplement, I would recommend vitamin D3. It is thought to be more potent, but Vitamin D2 is still effective. The big difference between the 2 forms is where it is made. Vitamin D2 is made from plants and vitamin D3 is made in our bodies. When vitamin D is used in vitamins, or when it is added to food, it is made by the manufacture in a lab.

For a great article on vitamin D and the research that has been done on it, please go to MedlinePlus at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/929.html.  As discussed in a previous post, this is a great website for health topics, drugs, and dietary supplements.

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Deductible Time Again

January 11, 2012

Phil in Pharmacy

Phil, Pharmacy Manager

For lots of us a new year comes with our deductibles starting over. A lot of people are shocked how much their medications are when they don’t have the set copay. We are also seeing a lot more companies move to high deductible plans. Even if you have a deductible, you still get a discount on your medications. When we bill your insurance they give you their contracted price for the medication. Pharmacists at Harmons can also talk to you about possible generics that the doctor may consider trying before going to a more expensive brand name medication. If the doctor still wants the brand name, you could ask their office about manufacture coupons or samples. We also have the Harmons Prescription Savings Club. This club gets you discounts on prescriptions you get at Harmons. At times this prescription discount program may be better than your insurance for some generics. For more information on the Harmons Prescription Savings Club please talk to your local Harmons Pharmacy.

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