Do we do enough for our statin patients?
As usual, Gerald Quigley hits the nail on the head. But it is not only statins that qualify for similar comment. It is the full inventory of prescription items. With the pressure of price competition, community pharmacy is heading for a collapse unless it can rediscover its roots and evolve its culture to one that is relevant for patients. There are stark examples of various industries that lost their way by not changing their culture (Kodak the original leader in the photographic industry and currently, mainstream media is losing the plot because of an inappropriate culture). Pharmacy is entering this paradigm because its leadership is paralysed through lack of innovative thinking.
Gerald Quigley - An advocate for Integrative Medicine
Even though statins are the “go-to” therapy for lowering “bad” cholesterol, other treatments can effectively reduce the risk of future heart problems according to a new evidence review.
The Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that a heart-healthy diet can confer the same level of heart health protection as statins.
When we dispense a statin prescription, do we take the time to enquire about exercise options or food choices?
Or do we dispense and dismiss?
Surely every repeat dispensing gives us the opportunity to engage?
Isn’t that an opportunity to shift the focus from the actual drug onto the problem at hand?
Regular exercise does not have to be threatening – it just has to be regular. Food choices don’t have to be restrictive – just sensible with a focus on good fats, better protein and appropriate carbohydrates.
It might not be obvious within the confines of our dispensaries, but our patients, more than ever, are seeking to take more control over their health.
We need to encourage them to take their medicines correctly and to understand that there’s so much more we can help them do for their own health outcomes.
Do we want to be part of that?
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