Category Archives: narcotics

How to save money on your prescription medications!

If you are buying any prescription medications for your child, your teen, or yourself, then you know how pricey they can be. Sometimes they are covered by insurance; sometimes insurance only pays a fraction; and there are drugs that are not covered by insurance and families that don’t have prescription coverage at all.

No matter your situation, there are still ways you can save, even as prescription drug prices continue to rise.

Buy a generic drug alternative. Not all drugs have generic versions, but when they do the generic is usually quite a bit less expensive. Ask your physician or pharmacist if there is a generic available for a particular drug.

Talk to the doctor. In addition to knowing about generic alternatives, your pediatrician may know of a less expensive option for the drug your child is taking. There won’t always be another alternative, but it’s certainly worth asking about.

Look for cheaper prices. If you think the drug prices at your pharmacy are too high, call around. Sometimes there can be quite a difference from one pharmacy to another.

Look online for coupons or other resources. Some pharmaceutical companies have special programs for uninsured patients, or for patients who have difficulty paying even with insurance. In addition, you can often find coupons for particular drugs from a pharmaceutical company.

Drugs aren’t likely to get cheaper anytime soon, and yet they are often necessary. We want to help you find less expensive alternatives. Please ask us.

© MBS Writing Services, 2015, all rights reserved

Talking to your kids about alcohol and drugs

Every parent worries about their child’s health, including whether or not that child will use drugs or alcohol.

It’s a valid concern.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, several studies in 2011 showed that:

“among high school students, during the past 30 days

  • 39% drank some amount of alcohol.
  • 22% binge drank.
  • 8% drove after drinking alcohol.
  • 24% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.”

In addition, 40% of high school students have used marijuana at least once, and 25% have been offered, sold or given illegal drugs on school property.

What can parents do to prevent drug and alcohol use and abuse with their own children?

There is no single answer, and some children and teens will use or abuse substances no matter how hard parents try to keep them safe, but here are some things that may help.

  • Start young.  Teach them how to say “no” when they don’t want something.  Show them how to be strong in the face of peer pressure.  Make sure they know the dangers and consequences of drugs and alcohol use.
  • Educate yourself.  Don’t hide from statistics, but learn from them.
  • Be firm.  Set rules and stick to them.
  • Be an example.  Don’t abuse alcohol or consume illegal substances.  If you drink, be responsible and don’t EVER drive intoxicated.  Keep alcohol and prescription drugs inaccessible to your youngster.  Never offer alcohol to an underage person.

If you think your child or teen is drinking or taking drugs, talk to your pediatrician or school counselor.  They can find you the right kind of help.

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved.

Why narcotics are prescribed carefully

You may have noticed that narcotic prescriptions are increasingly difficult to get for patients of any age these days.  That includes children and teens.

Because of the common problems of prescription drug overuse and even abuse, narcotics are more tightly controlled than ever.  Before anyone (even a child) can be prescribed narcotics in Kentucky, the physician’s office must run a KASPER report on that person’s prescription drug history.  KASPER (Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting) “tracks controlled substance prescriptions dispensed within the state. A KASPER report shows all scheduled prescriptions for an individual over a specified time period, the prescriber and the dispenser,” according the official website.  The intent is not to prevent you from getting the medications you need, but to prevent overuse and provide a source of information for medical practitioners.

For this reason, refills and usage of narcotics are scrutinized closely within our office and narcotic cough suppressants (such as codeine) are rarely prescribed or suggested.

This is a good time to remind adults to store medications out of reach and out of sight.  A young child is curious, and differently colored and shaped pills can look like candy.  Older children and teens may want to experiment with drugs, and the ones in your medicine cabinet are free and accessible.  Serious consequences of overdose, addiction and even death can occur, so lock your medicines away so that your children and teens don’t have access to them.  Remind grandparents and other homes where you child visits of these important safety guidelines.

Narcotics are sometimes important, even essential, tools in your family’s health.  But they are to be used carefully and cautiously.

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved