Weather
Drug fact sheets may omit facts consumers needby Cara Restelli, KY3 News
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
By
Gene Hartley
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Here's an example of the different amounts and kinds of information that you might get on a drug, depending on when and where you buy it. These are drug fact sheets about Singulair, or montelukast sodium, that a reporter collected from six pharmacies in Springfield. This list shows what appears to be the author of the fact sheet.
|
The FDA recognizes the problem. The recent FDA study found just 75 percent of patient information sheets were considered useful information.
”The FDA proposed to regulate it back in the ‘90s and it was Congress that decided we didn't need regulation,” said Barks.
Pharmacist Gary Grove recognizes that the information sheets can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy but says it would be impossible to list every piece of information about a drug on one leaflet.
”It might take 20-30 or 50 pages of printout to list every side effect that could happen,” said Grove.
He says vendors do a good job of listing the most common and serious side effects, and patients should understand, if they experience anything unusual while taking a medication, they should call their doctor or pharmacist, regardless of what's listed on the patient information sheet.
The Web sites of most drug manufacturers list every piece of information you could ever want about the prescription, so going there is always a good idea. Also, in regards to Singulair, while the FDA and Merck are both still investigating, leadership from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology says there is no data to indicate a link between Singulair and suicide.
Most Popular
More Good Stuff
YouNews
|
|
Quick Search
- Shopping
- Churches
|
Stocks
Stock Quotes
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Popular
- 3 charged with kidnapping slain Missouri woman
- Missing woman's body found in the woods
- Two die in vehicle; Pulaski County sheriff says foul play isn't suspected
- Pedestrian killed in Greene County
- New businesses open on Commercial Street
- Missouri to sell tickets for Mega Millions lottery
- Evidence found near Arkansas anchor's body could belong to the suspect
- Scam targets local credit union
- Bill extends unemployment benefits 20 weeks for Missourians
- DNR laying off 48 employees
On Demand
-
KY3 Store
-
KY3 Contests
Enter to win free stuff! Read more »
-
Interactive Radar
Monitor approaching storms Read more »
-
Mobile
Visit KY3 on your phone. Read more »
-
Text Alerts
sent to your cell phone. Read more »
-
KY3 Discussion Board
Ask An Expert Read more »
-
E-News Sign Up
Get KY3 News via your e-mail. Read more »
-
Video
The latest news video from KY3 Read more »
-
NBC.com
Watch your favorite NBC shows online! Read more »
-
RSS Feeds
Get news and updates as soon as they're published Read more »
AP Video
Links We Like
- Focus on Home
- Southern Materials
- SmithCo Exteriors
- Atlas Security
- Springfield Pool and Spa
- Reed's Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
- Family Health Watch
- DermaHealth Laser & Skin Care
- Cox Health
- The Gardens
- Professional Weight Management
- Dr. Jerry Fankhauser, DDS
- Ozarks Dining Guide
- Ozarks Entertainment Guide
- Ozarks Hotel Guide
- Springfield MO Real Estate
- Springfield Assist 2 Sell
- Sponsored Links
- J & M Complete Automotive; Springfield, MO Auto Service
- Posh Maternity; Springfield,MO
- Prima's Mexican Restaurant, Springfield, MO
- F & S Master Air; Springfield, MO Heating and Cooling