The following article has been reposted with the permission of the Know Your Dose campaign, a valued partner of our BeMedWise program. It goes by many names – cold and flu season, the “tripledemic,” and respiratory virus season are just a few. Whatever you call it, we know that the colder months and more time indoors mean that many of us will contract a cough, cold, or flu. If you or your loved ones do get sick and you’re using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to treat your symptoms, there are a few things you should keep in mind to help your […]
COVID-19 Treatments No Longer Covered by the Government
In a blog posted here on May 16, 2023 I discussed the phasing out of the January 2020 Federal Government COVID-19 public health emergency. At that time The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continued to authorize the COVID-19 antiviral drug nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) for emergency use. It has since been fully approved for adults with Covid at high risk of hospitalization or death, such as older adults and those with medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, and obesity. The government continued to provide Paxlovid at no cost to patients until November 1, 2023. Insurance companies will now be able to charge for […]
10 Myths About Raynaud’s Disease
As Raynaud’s Awareness Month is coming to a close, NeedyMeds is proud to put a spotlight on one of our partners, the Raynaud’s Association! We have received permission to share the following article from their website. Be sure to visit them at Raynauds.org! Little is known about Raynaud’s. In fact you’re way ahead of most people if you’ve even heard of it. Unfortunately some information published about Raynaud’s is inaccurate, and we want to set the record straight on 10 myths about Raynaud’s. Myth #1: Raynaud’s is a rare disease. It can be difficult putting firm numbers on Raynaud’s sufferers […]
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
As a pediatrician I am very familiar with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In infants and young children RSV infection results in a sometimes frightening seasonal illness called bronchiolitis. The virus affects the smallest airways, called the bronchioles, and results in wheezing and trouble breathing. There is no effective antiviral medication, only supportive treatment. The illness is especially severe in premature infants. In June 1998 one of the first monoclonal antibody drugs palivizumab was approved as a preventative measure given to premature infants at high risk for severe infection. In July 2023 another monoclonal antibody drug named nirsevimab-alip was approved for […]
NeedyMeds Spotlight: Take Charge of Estate Planning with Plan for Passing On
Every year, the month of August marks an important and often overlooked event: National Write a Will Month. This month allows individuals the opportunity to shape their future and ensure their wishes are honored even after the’ve moved on. Amidst life’s busyness, however, many miss out on the chance to dive into estate planning and create wills. Interestingly, a study by Caring.com points to procrastination as the main culprit behind this inaction. Surprisingly, over 42 percent of Americans haven’t created a will, largely due to putting it off. This leaves both wills and estate planning in unfamiliar territory for many, whether […]