Are you aware that Towncrest Pharmacy has several television commercials? These are aired on Mediacom via their OnMedia local advertising package. Unfortunately, these ads do not air for those without Mediacom cable service.

The internet was invented to solve problems like this! In the coming days, all of our commercials, in splendid high definition, will be uploaded online for everyone to see! Stay tuned for more information and links!

I also have started a discussion topic on our Facebook page for discussion of the online refill system.

Thank you for your feedback and support!

Mike

I have created a new online refill service to replace the ailing service. It can be accessed either by using the Refill link on our home page or at:

Please update any favorites in your browser as necessary

The new system uses your same login (your e-mail address) as the old one. You will have to set up a new password for this system, however. This can be done by stopping by the store and taking to Mike (me) or phoning me at the store (337-3526). Once I have created the account, you can access the page.

The new system is similar to the previous system. Once logged in, you will be taken to your home screen. This will be either a listing of your family members, or if you have a stand-alone account, hour medication profile. The family listing looks similar to:

The first thing you will notice is that the controls are at the bottom. They are mostly self explanatory:

• Quit will log you out. Please note that any un-submitted refill requests will remain there for next time.
• View History will show your request history (any items you have requested refills for and their status)
• View Queue will show you your current, un-submitted refill list and give you an opportunity to finalize.
• Home will take you to your Home screen.

NOTE

The old server which hosted the online refills failed. Have a new version of the system which has endured some light testing from a few brave patients. Even though I would have preferred to test it more thoroughly, I have no choice but to put it into production.

If you would like to continue to use online refills, I will need each of you to stop in or call so I can set up your new account (I cannot recover your password from the old system as it is encrypted).

The new system is similar to the old one in many ways, but will look different. There are a few things that are still a little rough around the edges, and I would ask your patience as I continue to improve the new system. I welcome any suggestions.

I have updated the link on the home page to reflect the new service. Please update your favorites if necessary, once you have activated your new account. I have also included instructions on the use of the new service here.

I have created a set of instructions for the new service. This can be accessed here
Regards,

MIke

Does the higher dose vaccine produce a better immune response in adults 65 years and older?

Data from clinical trials comparing Fluzone to Fluzone High-Dose among persons aged 65 years or older indicate that a stronger immune response (i.e. higher antibody levels) occurs after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose. Whether or not the improved immune response leads to greater protection against influenza disease after vaccination is not yet known. An ongoing study designed to determine the effectiveness of Fluzone High-Dose in preventing illness from influenza compared to Fluzone is expected to be completed in 2012.

Is Fluzone High-Dose safe?

The safety profile of Fluzone High-Dose vaccine is similar to that of regular flu vaccines, although adverse events (which are also reported after regular flu vaccines) were reported more frequently after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose. The most common adverse events experienced during clinical studies were mild and temporary and included pain, redness and swelling at the injection site and headache, muscle aches, fever and malaise. Most people had minimal or no adverse events after receiving the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine.

Who can get this vaccine?

Fluzone High-Dose is approved for use in people 65 years of age and older. As with all flu vaccines, Fluzone High-Dose is notrecommended for people with a severe allergy to chicken eggs, or people who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.

Does CDC recommend one vaccine above another for people 65 and older?

CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu, however, neither CDC nor ACIP is expressing a preference of one vaccine over another at this time.

How is the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine available?

This vaccine is approved for marketing in 0.5 mL preservative-free, single dose, prefilled syringes.

Where can I find more information about Fluzone High-Dose?

More information about Fluzone High-Dose is available on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web site at:http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm112854.htm

Marra Burr, Pharm.D. joins the Towncrest Pharmacy professional staff as our new Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Dr. Burr is an Iowa City native and a 2009 graduate of the Drake University College of Pharmacy. She recently completed an Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency at the Iowa City Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center with practice experience in anticoagulation, lipid management, geriatrics, medication management, pain management, behavioral health and primary care. Professional affiliations include the Iowa Pharmacy Association and American College of Clinical Pharmacists.

Grant Titterton, Pharm. D. joins the Towncrest Pharmacy professional staff as our new Pharmacy Resident. Towncrest Pharmacy partners with the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy's "Community Pharmacy Care Residency" program which trains new pharmacy graduates in advanced topics in community pharmacy and pharmaceutical care. Grant is a graduate of the Drake College of Pharmacy and hails from Byron Illinois. He will be replacing outgoing resident Steve Wise, who accepted an academic position in Texas following his graduation from the residency program.

TOWNCREST PHARMACY RECEIVES ACCREDITATION, ILLUSTRATING ITS COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN PATIENT CARE

Towncrest Pharmacy, which also sells durable home medical equipment, has achieved the Award of Accreditation from the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation, based in Waterloo, Iowa. This award is achieved only when home medical equipment suppliers demonstrate a high level of quality practices in their business operations and patient care techniques. Towncrest Pharmacy earned the three-year accreditation after completing a comprehensive application that focuses on patient care, financial stability, and a commitment to quality operational practices and procedures. Accreditation by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation assures Medicare and other payers that the highest levels of quality are practiced within all areas of the company.

“We sought accreditation by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation to demonstrate that our company is committed to providing excellent patient care and safety in a financially solvent environment,” says Michael Deninger, President of Towncrest Pharmacy. “This award also reinforces that our commitment to quality is ongoing.”

Towncrest Pharmacy Launches TakeAway™ Program for Consumer Drug Disposal

In response recent news articles about the improper disposal of medications and their contamination of ground water, Towncrest Pharmacy is now offering a new medication take-back program. TakeAway is a statewide program utilizing community pharmacies as take-back sites for Iowans to safely dispose of unused or expired medications that may be dangerous to others and to the environment if not disposed of properly.

“As members of the community, pharmacists are in a prime position to ensure the safe and proper handling of medications, from dispensing to disposal,” said Randy McDonough, co-owner at Towncrest Pharmacy. “Unused or expired medications pose risks to our families, communities, and the environment.”

The Office of National Drug Control has found that prescription drugs are the drug of choice among 12- and 13-year olds, while a third of all new abusers of prescription drugs were between the ages of 12 and 17. Consumers are disposing of unused medicines by flushing them down the drain, adding pharmaceutical pollution to our water supplies. In addition, medicines thrown in the trash can end up in landfills if not first picked up by children, pets, or anyone rummaging through trash.

Randy McDonough is a member of the Iowa Pharmacy Association which launched TakeAway in partnership with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy on November 1st. TakeAway provides a consumer drug disposal option for unused and/or expired medications to be incinerated in a waste-to-energy destruction facility. By working together, pharmacists across the state of Iowa hope to make a difference for the environment and our communities through TakeAway Environmental Return System.

For more information on TakeAway, including a list of acceptable and non-acceptable items, please visit our TakeAway program page or visit the Iowa Pharmacy Association's page at www.iarx.org/takeaway.

The Concern with Expired and Unused Medicines

All medications will eventually expire. When casually dumped in the trash or flushed down the toilet, these drugs can make their way to our waterways and into the soil, even sometimes into our drinking water. Scientists have just recently begun examining the effects of certain drugs on wildlife and ecosystems. The safest approach is a cautious approach.

From another point of view, drugs that are not discarded properly can end up in the wrong hands or paws. Prescription drug abuse is a current issue in the U.S and some are willing to go to great lengths for access to the drugs they want. Animals, including, household pets, can accidentally consume medications left in the garbage unless steps are taken.

Luckily, the DEA and other environmental groups have issued guidelines on how to dispose of unused/expired medications. Keep reading to learn more.

Recommendations from Credible Organizations
The American Pharmacist Association and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list 4 small steps that can make a huge difference:

1) DO NOT FLUSH unused medications. This is no longer the best option, due to recent data showing that drugs could be having a negative impact on the environment. *There are several exceptions to this rule, however, listed at the bottom of the page.

2) When tossing unused medications, protect children and pets from the potentially negative effects. Put medications in a sealable plastic bag. Crush solid medications or dissolve them in water (simply pour in liquid medications), and mix with kitty litter, saw dust, coffee grounds, or a non-appealing material. Seal the bag and dispose of in your trash. Your trash should end up in a properly lined landfill to prevent any substance from leaking into the earth and our waterways.

Remove and destroy all identifying personal information from the drug container. Recycle or throw out the container.

3) Check for approved local collection programs or hazardous waste facilities. Local programs are a great and easy way to dispose of drugs in the best possible way. Johnson County has a waste disposal facility that accepts most medication waste. Call them if you have any questions. (Info on other side)

4) Talk to your pharmacist. Pharmacists are medication experts and should be able to help figure out the best disposal method for your specific case

Storage

Correct storage ensures your medicines will last as long as possible. Talk to your pharmacist about the correct way to store your prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

If you are taking your expired or unused drugs to a take-back program, make sure to store the medications in a proper location in the mean time. Locked or hard-to-reach cabinets are good options.

Johnson County Hazardous Waste Collection Facility

319-356-5185

3900 Hebl Avenue SW

Iowa City, IA 52240

About 2 miles west of the city on Melrose Ave

Drop-offs are by appointment only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 7am–1 pm. Free for any Johnson County, Kalona, or Riverside residential customer! They also accept sharps if in proper sealed container (ie, detergent bottle) Website fall one line): http://www.icqov.org/default/

*Medications that SHOULD be flushed

Medications should be flushed only if the prescription labeling or insert states that it should be. Usually these drugs are powerful analgesics at danger for aversion. A handful of drugs that the FDA recommends be flushed down the toilet include:

• Actiq (fentanyl citrate)
• Daytrana Transdermal Patch (methylphenidate)
• Duragesic Transdermal System (fentanyl)
• OxyContin Tablets (oxycodone)
• Avinza Capsules (morphine sulfate)
• Baraclude Tablets (entecavir)
• Reyataz Capsules (atazanavir sulfate)
• Tequin Tablets (gatifloxacin)
• Zerit for Oral Solution (stavudine)
• Meperidine HCI Tablets
• Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
• Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate)
• Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet)

Rejuvenating Skin Cream

As a physiologic phenomenon, skin aging cannot be avoided but general measures may delay or soften it. Chrysaderm™ is a cosmeceutical product that will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, protecting against harsh external factors and making your skin more natural and beautiful. Many factors make the daily use of both Chrysaderm™ Day and Chrysaderm™ Night vital to skin rejuvenation.

Chrysaderm DayTM

A cosmeceutical product that has innovative ingredients in its formula to address skin aging such as:

Anti-oxidantsCollagen synthesis activators
Anti-aging day activity complex
Moisturizers

• Retinol Molecular
• DMAE Complex
• Yeast Extract
• Superoxide Dismutase
• Coenzyme Q-10
• Vitamin EChrysaderm™ Day is very effective at increasing skin tone, reducing the appearance of deep and medium depth wrinkles, fighting the harmful effects of free radicals, decreasing the skin aging process and increasing skin hydration throughout the day.

Chrysaderm NightTM

A cosmeceutical product that reduces the appearance of existing facial wrinkles, stimulates collagen and fibroblasts, increases skin resistance to the environment and protects against skin irritation due to free radicals, pollution and other exogenous factors. This product also increases skin hydration. Innovative ingredients include:

Anti-oxidants

Collagen synthesis activators

Anti-aging night activity complex

Moisturizers

• Palmitoyl-Pentapeptide-3

• Acetyl Hexapeptide-3

• Glycosaminoglycans

• Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract

• Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract

• Vitamin E

Anti-aging night activity with biopeptide reduces the appearance of wrinkles of varying depths, activates collagen synthesis and protects your skin from pollution damage. Chrysaderm™ Night complex provides rejuvenating benefits.