Costco Connection - January 2010

ASK THE PHARMACIST
for your
health

MEDIA BAKER Y/RF

FRANCE FREEMAN

Specifics
about
generics

Are generic drugs as good as brand-name drugs? Generic manufacturers must prove to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that their product contains the same active ingredient(s) in the same strength and dosage form as the name brand. Additionally, and perhaps most important, the generic manufacturer must prove bioequiva-lence. This means that the generic must have the same therapeutic efficacy and safety profile as the name brand. Generic manufacturers are closely regulated by the FDA, and all products must undergo batch-to-batch product testing for strength, purity and quality.

January:
Glaucoma
Awareness
Month

By Michael Mastromonica

DID YOU KNOW that more than 70 percent of all prescriptions filled at Costco pharmacies are filled for generic medications?

Here are answers to some questions frequently asked in

regard to generic medications.

Michael Mastromonica

Why are generic drugs less expensive? Simply put, generic manufacturers incur only the cost of manufacturing and distribution. They have no product-development costs and very low marketing costs, and, because there is no patent protection, they are in a very competitive marketplace with other generic manufacturers to sell the same products. This is a huge win for consumers.

What is a generic medication? Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients, in the same strength, as brand-name drugs. When a new drug is first developed, the pharmaceutical company that brings the drug to market is given a patent. This is intended to give the drug originator marketing exclusivity and a way to recoup its significant investment in research. When the patent expires, a generic form of the drug may become available, sometimes at a significantly lower price.

How much can I save?

Prices vary, but on average a branded prescription at Costco sells for $137. The average generic prescription sells for $18.23. Costco offers many generic products priced at less than $10 for a 90-day supply of medication! C

Michael Mastromonica, R.Ph., is the assistant vice president of Pharmacy for Costco.

Hand-washing IQ WASHING ONE’S HANDS to prevent the spread of germs has reached a high profile with the H1N1 flu threat. Not a very high-tech preventive method, you might think—certainly a practice people often take for granted. But you might be surprised by what you don’t know about this simple action. Test your knowledge of the intricacies of good hand-washing practices with this quiz. Answers can be found on page 49.

SOMETIMES CALLED the silent thief of sight, glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness (diabetes is the leading cause). Vision might decrease so gradually from glaucoma that the loss is not noticed until the disease is at an advanced stage.

The term glaucoma is applied to a group of disorders that lead to damage to the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Frequently the damage is caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye ( intraocular pressure).

The most common type of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, has no noticeable signs or symptoms except gradual vision loss. Medication can treat this type effectively if it is diagnosed and treated early.

Closed-angle glaucoma presents differently, with sudden onset of symptoms, including eye pain, headaches, halos seen around lights, vision loss, red eyes and nausea. Treatment usually involves surgery.

1. Hands should be washed in
connection with which of these
activities?

a) After using the rest room b) After touching your hair, face or body c) Before handling food or eating d) After smoking, eating or drinking e) After sneezing, coughing, wiping or blowing your nose f) After taking out the garbage g) All of the above

3. Rings and other jewelry
(watches, bracelets) should be
removed for a thorough hand
washing.

a) True b) False

4. To kill germs, soap should
be used with water at a
temperature of
a) As hot as you can stand
b) Warm
c) Cold
d) Temperature does not
matter, as long as soap and
water are used

6. After washing, dry hands
thoroughly (check all that apply)

a) With a single-use paper towel b) With a hand towel used by others c) On clothing d) With a warm air dryer

2. How many seconds should
you devote to a thorough hand
washing?

a) 10 b) 20 c) 30

5. Rinse hands a) Under running water b) In a standing basin of water

Risk and prevention

VEER/RF

Early detection and treatment are the best way to control glaucoma. If you’re in a high-risk group—including African-Americans age 40 or older, everyone else 60 or older, or those with a family history of the disease—visit an eye-care professional for a dilated-pupil exam every two years, and make sure your intraocular pressure is measured.—David Wight

;

For more information
✽ www.glaucoma.org/learn/
✽ www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/
✽ www.webmd.com/eye-health/
glaucoma-eyes
✽ www.glaucomafoundation.org/