Just recently the group R.E.M. announced that they were calling it enough. One of my favorite songs by them was "It's the End of the World As We Know It", mainly because it was fun to yell out LEONARD BERNSTEIN!! Still one of my favorite bands and definitely enjoyed the time I was able to spend with Michael Stipe and Mike Mills in Cincinnati.
Anyway, the Oklahoma State Employee and Educators Group Insurance Board (OSEEIG or Satan's Army) recently announced the changes to the health care plan offered to their members. One such change was requiring maintenance medications to be filled in 90-day supplies by mail order rather than at the local pharmacy. Now sure, they could get their meds at the local pharmacy but they would have to pay for half of the cost of the medication, rather than their usual co-pay for a 30-day supply. That's why I said required earlier, because it's a no brainer as to which to choose.
If this is allowed to happen, 1 out of every 5 retail pharmacies in Oklahoma will close. OSEEIG has over 700,000 members in the state. It will cost the state's economy over $75 million in revenue. Community pharmacies donate 350% more to local nonprofits such as schools, fire departments, police, parks and much more.
Now think about this, they are giving you a 90 day supply of MAINTENANCE medication. When you maintain something, you monitor it- you evaluate it. They call blood pressure and diabetic medications maintenance medications. So many things can change in a 3 month period that if you were having any problems or side effects from the meds, who do you call? I asked that very question to a member of Satan's Army and her response was that it was up to the prescribing physician to go over all side effects of the medication. Well, I pursued, what if the patient goes to many doctors and one physician prescribes something that causes severe interactions with another one of the patient's medications? The patient needs to know what they are taking said Sgt. Lucifer.
Folks, I'm here to tell you that even though I have been working with Mr. Satchell for over a year and read and conduct research on my own that I cannot tell you all the possible interactions or side effects of the medications I take, much less an elderly person who is taking many different meds.
Mail order can't provide service like a local pharmacy can. Mail order can't take you your medications on the day you ask for them like a local pharmacy can. Mail order can't correct mistakes (which happen more frequently in mail order companies than brick and mortar pharmacies) in a timely manner. Mail order doesn't know your history, or for lack of a better word, your HERITAGE like a local pharmacy does. Mail order can't possibly tell you about your families health history. Mail order can't open up at all hours of the night to fill an order that was forgotten for your 3 month old baby that can't breathe. Mail order can't tell you how a vitamin you have in your hand will interact with your blood pressure medicine, or how since you are diabetic you need to be careful with what cough medications you take.
So why, why, would Satan's Army choose to go with a mail order requirement?
Money
Oh, I failed to mention this. The mail order company? The very same company that sells the insurance plan. The insurance company tells Satan's Army that they can save so much in premiums by going with mail order. Although the members won't feel it because according to the insurance plan, other aspects of health care costs have skyrocketed. In actuality, those savings are lining the pockets of Satan's Army. Don't believe me? Well, this "deal" was made without required documentation that the program was completely vetted. Not one of the members of the board has any medical or pharmaceutical training or background. You be the judge.
As far as the world ending? This is just the first domino that is poised to topple the lines that are already treacherous to begin with.
How can we stop it?
Communication with your plan administrators, your representatives in Congress BOTH state and federal.
The best way is to keep your eyes open and think. With the strength and amount of drugs becoming available, you want to have someone knowledgeable about them at your disposal.
Not answering a phone in the Philipines.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Trying to Save on Prescription Medications
This article was published recently and also discussed on Good Morning America today. Some of the things that people have been doing in an effort to save on their prescriptions is dangerous and could even be deadly.
We have implemented a system here called Medication Therapy Management (MTM) which is where you would sit down with Dennis and go over your prescriptions. He will explain to you all that the medication is expected to do for you and any possible side effects or interactions. From there, you can take the information paperwork to your doctor(s) and perhaps can find a plan that would not only assist in your health but also be a little easier on the pocket book.
The review takes 15 minutes at most and if you give us an idea of the time you would like to have an MTM visit with Dennis, we can have everything ready to go for you.
We have implemented a system here called Medication Therapy Management (MTM) which is where you would sit down with Dennis and go over your prescriptions. He will explain to you all that the medication is expected to do for you and any possible side effects or interactions. From there, you can take the information paperwork to your doctor(s) and perhaps can find a plan that would not only assist in your health but also be a little easier on the pocket book.
The review takes 15 minutes at most and if you give us an idea of the time you would like to have an MTM visit with Dennis, we can have everything ready to go for you.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Vending Machines and Pharmacies
While reading a trade publication recently, I read about a drugstore chain in New York City was about to open its largest store on Wall Street. According to the New York Times blog it is "the most exciting drugstore in the world." It features a grocery market, smothie bar, a hair salon for shampoos, blow-dries, and blowouts, a nail bar for manicures and massages, and - get this - a sushi bar!
Now, I for one, would love to see good sushi bars in just about all the places I go, but maybe not a pharmacy. It's scary enough to see them in malls, but maybe that's just me. If you notice though in most new stores being built, they carry more than one line of products. Wal-Mart, as an example, has a pharmacy as well as in some stores a McDonalds, bank, hair care, and even clinics! One stop for all of your needs is their goal which I suppose they have done so in certain respects.
Now though, in some clinics, there are vending machines that dispense prescription drugs. This, in my opinion, is pretty scary. While it can be argued that a pharmacist is an old-fashioned type of a vending machine, how many vending machines can give advice on what you are taking or what type of side effects can be expected from the medication.
The company that owns the vending machines defend its use as a time-saving mechanism. We here at Heritage Pharmacy do our best to make sure you are not having to endure long waits and have taken measures to avoid such instances. But tell me, how can a vending machine provide potentially life threatening advice on your medications?
There is no substitute for face-to-face consultations when dispensing medication and the focus should be on you the person, not yellowfin sashimi.
Now, I for one, would love to see good sushi bars in just about all the places I go, but maybe not a pharmacy. It's scary enough to see them in malls, but maybe that's just me. If you notice though in most new stores being built, they carry more than one line of products. Wal-Mart, as an example, has a pharmacy as well as in some stores a McDonalds, bank, hair care, and even clinics! One stop for all of your needs is their goal which I suppose they have done so in certain respects.
Now though, in some clinics, there are vending machines that dispense prescription drugs. This, in my opinion, is pretty scary. While it can be argued that a pharmacist is an old-fashioned type of a vending machine, how many vending machines can give advice on what you are taking or what type of side effects can be expected from the medication.
The company that owns the vending machines defend its use as a time-saving mechanism. We here at Heritage Pharmacy do our best to make sure you are not having to endure long waits and have taken measures to avoid such instances. But tell me, how can a vending machine provide potentially life threatening advice on your medications?
There is no substitute for face-to-face consultations when dispensing medication and the focus should be on you the person, not yellowfin sashimi.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Rise Up!
The Beatles had a hit song "Revolution", if you haven't heard it- stop now and go listen to it. iTunes has the Beatle catalog finally so it shouldn't be too hard to find. This is a very appropriate song for this blog post dear reader, because I for one, am ready to start a big one.
It has to do with insurance companies and all the little hoops we all have to jump through in order for them to do what they are supposed to do.
In its early years, insurance was a wonderful thing. It created a large pool of funds and paid out the claims when one of the members had an occurrence. Since then, it has become an enormous beast that has more legal mumbo jumbo than Harvard's School of Law.
Here are just a few examples of some of the things some insurance companies do to their members:
"Well," they say, "you can have your doctor fill out a prior authorization form and we will take a look at it and see if you really need it."
It's almost criminal in my opinion. The sad thing is that I was one of those people who sold the policies. I went through all the things that the policies did for people, but never did I talk to them about what it didn't cover. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have given both sides of the coin and let the customer make their own decision. Of course, if the people I worked for at the time heard me doing so, I probably wouldn't have worked there much longer, but at least my conscience would be clear.
Because of my experience with insurance, I generally take it upon myself to contact the companies to see exactly what I can do for our patients when co-pays don't look right or medications aren't covered. Believe me when I say that I fight, I fight hard for our patients- so much so that I find myself having to walk around the building a few times to cool myself off.
One of the problems is that when we call in, we are talking to people in Bangladesh, Phillipines, or some other exotic location- a few though are in the United States but this problem doesn't have anything to do with the nationality of the people. The problem is that the companies are too big. Too many people that are really doing nothing but what the computer screen tells them for 8 hours a day and a paycheck. They can care less if Joe Blow here in Kingfisher gets their medicine, much less if they are paying too much. So in a nutshell, problem number one is no accountability for the insurance companies.
Problem number two is that there are too many plans with various exclusions. In my opinion, if you have prescription coverage, it should cover all drugs for as long as the physician prescribes for you. No more of this crap (pardon my language but I am censoring myself quite a bit here) of saying that a drug isn't on a plan or the plan recommends using another drug. THAT'S NOT THEIR BUSINESS, THAT IS BETWEEN THE PHYSICIAN AND THE PATIENT!!
Problem number three is no consistency with their plans. One company can offer hundreds of plans, all with their own little bells and whistles. Forget that-one company means one plan.
This is the core problem with health care people, forget the whole "Obama-care" aspect, the problem is with the insurance companies. They have huge lobbying budgets that sway our legislators votes. Just look at the mess we have gone through with the budget, our government wasn't looking out for the common people- they were making sure they didn't upset their pet projects/donors.
We need a revolution, and the best way we can revolt is with our power and right to vote. Contact your leaders and let them know about your situation, organize a group of people to make phone calls, send letters, emails, tweets, anything you can think of to the people that make decisions about the type of medical coverage you have available.
We can do it, it won't be today, and maybe not tomorrow- but it can be done. Do it for our kids, grandkids and so on. Teach them how our government works or at least how it should work.
Power to the people!
It has to do with insurance companies and all the little hoops we all have to jump through in order for them to do what they are supposed to do.
In its early years, insurance was a wonderful thing. It created a large pool of funds and paid out the claims when one of the members had an occurrence. Since then, it has become an enormous beast that has more legal mumbo jumbo than Harvard's School of Law.
Here are just a few examples of some of the things some insurance companies do to their members:
- Spring a deductible on brand name medications even though there is not a generic available.
- Require a member to use mail order rather than the pharmacy after two prescriptions have been filled.
- Change tiers of medications on a certain date, but begin charging higher co-pays weeks before the tier change date.
- Require prior authorizations from the doctor on the day supply available based on the drug.
"Well," they say, "you can have your doctor fill out a prior authorization form and we will take a look at it and see if you really need it."
It's almost criminal in my opinion. The sad thing is that I was one of those people who sold the policies. I went through all the things that the policies did for people, but never did I talk to them about what it didn't cover. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have given both sides of the coin and let the customer make their own decision. Of course, if the people I worked for at the time heard me doing so, I probably wouldn't have worked there much longer, but at least my conscience would be clear.
Because of my experience with insurance, I generally take it upon myself to contact the companies to see exactly what I can do for our patients when co-pays don't look right or medications aren't covered. Believe me when I say that I fight, I fight hard for our patients- so much so that I find myself having to walk around the building a few times to cool myself off.
One of the problems is that when we call in, we are talking to people in Bangladesh, Phillipines, or some other exotic location- a few though are in the United States but this problem doesn't have anything to do with the nationality of the people. The problem is that the companies are too big. Too many people that are really doing nothing but what the computer screen tells them for 8 hours a day and a paycheck. They can care less if Joe Blow here in Kingfisher gets their medicine, much less if they are paying too much. So in a nutshell, problem number one is no accountability for the insurance companies.
Problem number two is that there are too many plans with various exclusions. In my opinion, if you have prescription coverage, it should cover all drugs for as long as the physician prescribes for you. No more of this crap (pardon my language but I am censoring myself quite a bit here) of saying that a drug isn't on a plan or the plan recommends using another drug. THAT'S NOT THEIR BUSINESS, THAT IS BETWEEN THE PHYSICIAN AND THE PATIENT!!
Problem number three is no consistency with their plans. One company can offer hundreds of plans, all with their own little bells and whistles. Forget that-one company means one plan.
This is the core problem with health care people, forget the whole "Obama-care" aspect, the problem is with the insurance companies. They have huge lobbying budgets that sway our legislators votes. Just look at the mess we have gone through with the budget, our government wasn't looking out for the common people- they were making sure they didn't upset their pet projects/donors.
We need a revolution, and the best way we can revolt is with our power and right to vote. Contact your leaders and let them know about your situation, organize a group of people to make phone calls, send letters, emails, tweets, anything you can think of to the people that make decisions about the type of medical coverage you have available.
We can do it, it won't be today, and maybe not tomorrow- but it can be done. Do it for our kids, grandkids and so on. Teach them how our government works or at least how it should work.
Power to the people!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Little Things.....
"Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things."
-- Lawrence Bell
Sometimes people say that it's the little things in life that matter most. I'm sure we can all think of examples of that, be it the way a toddler's hand fits around your pinkie finger or the smell of freshly cut grass and so on that gives us fond memories of days ago.
Little things can mean a lot in the retail world as well. Have you ever been at a store and asked someone where a particular item was and they just point in the general direction and say "it's over there." Couldn't that person have taken the little bit of time and walked you to the location and made sure that you found what you are looking for? Just a little thing, but it means a lot.
I know personally that I received the best customer service ever at one of the most unexpected places ever- the Oklahoma Tax Commission, yeah blew me away too.
Another aspect of "little things" are the ones we start learning from day one in our lives that help us prepare for the future. Think about going through kindergarten, we learn letters, numbers, colors and why? Most of us already knew them before going into the class anyway. But, what it also taught us was how to behave and interact in different situations as well as laying the foundation for the next grade where we would learn how to put letters together to make words and how numbers can be used for various equations and applications.
Sports are the same way. The little things like putting your pinkies together when catching a baseball below your belly button or stepping to your target when you throw all lead to more advanced instruction later.
Some of the little things in the pharmacy that we strive to pay close attention to are obvious- the right drug, the right directions and doctor. But there are a few more little things that we provide that we are proud of as well.
One would be dealing with insurance companies. Whether there is an issue with a prior authorization or day supply, we do all that we can to make sure you are getting the medication and care you deserve.
An example of another way we deal with insurance companies happened just the other day. One of our patients had recently changed jobs, he had new insurance but didn't have the card with him. Because of our experience, we were able to locate that person's insurance information and had his prescription ready to go without having the person having to wait while the new information was put into our system.
Perhaps its when a patient calls about some possible side effects of a medication, its not unusual for us to print out a sheet describing the medication, showing its purpose and then explaining what they might feel after taking said medication. Then, the next day, following up with that person to see if they are feeling any better or if there were any problems.
Why do we do this? Good business practices? Maybe. Because we care? Definitely. Either way that question is answered it can be best defined as making you the patient our number one priority. Please note that we, of all people, know how various medications can interact with individuals and want to be sure that their needs for those medications are working. The key word there is individuals, you are not a statistic but rather a person that has your own body chemistry and ability to tolerate various medications and combinations thereof. While we are not able to tell you immediately what the medicine will do for you, we will be able to provide information that can let you know what to expect. Not only does it make our job much easier, but also helps you-the patient- get the best value for your time and money. Let's face it, we all have busy lives and don't really want to spend it in doctor's offices or pharmacies.
That being said, we strive to provide the highest possible service and value to our patients so that they can get the most of the medication their doctor has prescribed for them and you can get on with your own life feeling as well as possible.
So the next time you are in a store, ask around and see if you feel you are being taken care of, then come on by Heritage Pharmacy and experience the difference.
-- Lawrence Bell
Sometimes people say that it's the little things in life that matter most. I'm sure we can all think of examples of that, be it the way a toddler's hand fits around your pinkie finger or the smell of freshly cut grass and so on that gives us fond memories of days ago.
Little things can mean a lot in the retail world as well. Have you ever been at a store and asked someone where a particular item was and they just point in the general direction and say "it's over there." Couldn't that person have taken the little bit of time and walked you to the location and made sure that you found what you are looking for? Just a little thing, but it means a lot.
I know personally that I received the best customer service ever at one of the most unexpected places ever- the Oklahoma Tax Commission, yeah blew me away too.
Another aspect of "little things" are the ones we start learning from day one in our lives that help us prepare for the future. Think about going through kindergarten, we learn letters, numbers, colors and why? Most of us already knew them before going into the class anyway. But, what it also taught us was how to behave and interact in different situations as well as laying the foundation for the next grade where we would learn how to put letters together to make words and how numbers can be used for various equations and applications.
Sports are the same way. The little things like putting your pinkies together when catching a baseball below your belly button or stepping to your target when you throw all lead to more advanced instruction later.
Some of the little things in the pharmacy that we strive to pay close attention to are obvious- the right drug, the right directions and doctor. But there are a few more little things that we provide that we are proud of as well.
One would be dealing with insurance companies. Whether there is an issue with a prior authorization or day supply, we do all that we can to make sure you are getting the medication and care you deserve.
An example of another way we deal with insurance companies happened just the other day. One of our patients had recently changed jobs, he had new insurance but didn't have the card with him. Because of our experience, we were able to locate that person's insurance information and had his prescription ready to go without having the person having to wait while the new information was put into our system.
Perhaps its when a patient calls about some possible side effects of a medication, its not unusual for us to print out a sheet describing the medication, showing its purpose and then explaining what they might feel after taking said medication. Then, the next day, following up with that person to see if they are feeling any better or if there were any problems.
Why do we do this? Good business practices? Maybe. Because we care? Definitely. Either way that question is answered it can be best defined as making you the patient our number one priority. Please note that we, of all people, know how various medications can interact with individuals and want to be sure that their needs for those medications are working. The key word there is individuals, you are not a statistic but rather a person that has your own body chemistry and ability to tolerate various medications and combinations thereof. While we are not able to tell you immediately what the medicine will do for you, we will be able to provide information that can let you know what to expect. Not only does it make our job much easier, but also helps you-the patient- get the best value for your time and money. Let's face it, we all have busy lives and don't really want to spend it in doctor's offices or pharmacies.
That being said, we strive to provide the highest possible service and value to our patients so that they can get the most of the medication their doctor has prescribed for them and you can get on with your own life feeling as well as possible.
So the next time you are in a store, ask around and see if you feel you are being taken care of, then come on by Heritage Pharmacy and experience the difference.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Organic vs. Conventional, Brand vs. Generic and other things
Ahh, spring is here. Birds are singing, days are warmer, flowers blooming, baseball season opening up and so on and so on. Many people are starting or already have started their own vegetable gardens to enjoy produce grown by themselves. For those who don't have a garden but still want to enjoy fresh and delicious vegetables, they sometimes find themselves in a quandry in deciding between organic vs. conventional at the local supermarket. Both sides make valid arguments, personally it doesn't matter to me, just as long as it is fresh. I can tell a difference in how I feel personally when I eat whole foods as opposed to processed. I feel better, have much more energy and seem to not have too many aches and pains.
Sometimes though, we don't get enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals. For that, there are supplements that are available. Here at Heritage Pharmacy, we carry a wide selection of supplements ranging from the various B vitamins to Omega-3's, glucosamine, zinc, etc. and if we don't have specifically what you are looking for, we will do our absolute best to have it in for you on the next business day if possible. Plus, Heritage Pharmacy has a wealth of information in the form of Dennis Satchell. He is able to answer almost any questions regarding supplements and how they may interact with any prescription medication you may be taking at the time.
On some occasions, customers will ask the difference between name brand and generic drugs , thinking that one might be better for them than the other. The answer that we provide is that all brand drugs have a generic name, but a generic option may not be available at this time due to patent rights or just decisions made by the manufacturer. As far as whether one is better than the other, the generic drug has the exact same ingredients as the brand name and it is up to you as to which option you prefer. More often than not, the generic version is less expensive than the brand name, but the final decision is ultimately up to you. Depending on your body chemistry, you may metabolize certain brands or types differently than others, which is one reason why it is important to have a knowledgable pharmacist and physician who you are comfortable dealing with for advice on your medication.
On another note, May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. If you are a nurse, thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou for all that you do. If you aren't, thank the nurse you know. Speaking from experience with the ones we have around here, they are all dedicated, hard working people who want to make sure that you get the best care possible. Once again nurses, THANK YOU!!
Finally, the U6 Little Ponies (aka Little Pills) sponsored by Heritage Pharmacy finished another successful season. They ran into last year's championship team in the quarterfinals of the tournament and put up a valliant effort against a very good team. All of the kids did a great job this year and the coaching staff of Brian Gilles and Stephen Osterholt did a superb job of not only teaching the kids the game of soccer, but also making it fun for them as well.
So now it is time to bid adieu, and thank you dear reader, for reading our latest entry to the internet. We hope that you find these tidbits informative and somewhat enjoyable. If you have any questions at all, please do not ever hesitate to give us a call at (405) 375-6300 or shoot us a message on Facebook or email at heritagepharmacy@pldi.net We also would like to thank you for your support in our effort to provide quality service from people you know and ask that if you have any friends or family that have not paid a visit to us here at the "pharm", to let them know that our doors are always open from 7:30 am- 9:30 pm Monday-Saturday and from 9-6 on Sunday.
Thanks again and we hope to see you again soon.
Sometimes though, we don't get enough of the necessary vitamins and minerals. For that, there are supplements that are available. Here at Heritage Pharmacy, we carry a wide selection of supplements ranging from the various B vitamins to Omega-3's, glucosamine, zinc, etc. and if we don't have specifically what you are looking for, we will do our absolute best to have it in for you on the next business day if possible. Plus, Heritage Pharmacy has a wealth of information in the form of Dennis Satchell. He is able to answer almost any questions regarding supplements and how they may interact with any prescription medication you may be taking at the time.
On some occasions, customers will ask the difference between name brand and generic drugs , thinking that one might be better for them than the other. The answer that we provide is that all brand drugs have a generic name, but a generic option may not be available at this time due to patent rights or just decisions made by the manufacturer. As far as whether one is better than the other, the generic drug has the exact same ingredients as the brand name and it is up to you as to which option you prefer. More often than not, the generic version is less expensive than the brand name, but the final decision is ultimately up to you. Depending on your body chemistry, you may metabolize certain brands or types differently than others, which is one reason why it is important to have a knowledgable pharmacist and physician who you are comfortable dealing with for advice on your medication.
On another note, May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. If you are a nurse, thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou for all that you do. If you aren't, thank the nurse you know. Speaking from experience with the ones we have around here, they are all dedicated, hard working people who want to make sure that you get the best care possible. Once again nurses, THANK YOU!!
Finally, the U6 Little Ponies (aka Little Pills) sponsored by Heritage Pharmacy finished another successful season. They ran into last year's championship team in the quarterfinals of the tournament and put up a valliant effort against a very good team. All of the kids did a great job this year and the coaching staff of Brian Gilles and Stephen Osterholt did a superb job of not only teaching the kids the game of soccer, but also making it fun for them as well.
So now it is time to bid adieu, and thank you dear reader, for reading our latest entry to the internet. We hope that you find these tidbits informative and somewhat enjoyable. If you have any questions at all, please do not ever hesitate to give us a call at (405) 375-6300 or shoot us a message on Facebook or email at heritagepharmacy@pldi.net We also would like to thank you for your support in our effort to provide quality service from people you know and ask that if you have any friends or family that have not paid a visit to us here at the "pharm", to let them know that our doors are always open from 7:30 am- 9:30 pm Monday-Saturday and from 9-6 on Sunday.
Thanks again and we hope to see you again soon.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
The Value of Quality Customer Service or How Change Can Be A Good Thing
I will admit, dear reader, that on some occasions I have way too many ideas running through my head. Therefore, this post has two titles and subjects that will (hopefully) come together to make a single, logical (keyword) opinion. Let's start with The Value of Quality Customer Service.
I don't think that I am alone in having the opinion that quality customer service is a huge advantage to businesses. For example, Store A has a widget priced at $150.00, Store B has the same widget at the same price. Store A has surly, immature clerks who are more interested in checking their phones for text messages and can barely grunt the total price to you much less say hello or good morning. Store B has clerks that greet you when you enter the store, ask if they can help with anything else in addition to your widget and offers additional information regarding your widget at no extra charge.
On my score sheet, Store B gets one point.
Store A- 0
Store B- 1
Since there is more to customer service than the clerks, let's look at a few other examples such as accessibility. Store A is centrally located in your community on a major street. Store B is centrally located on a major street.
Draw- no points awarded
Store A- 0
Store B- 1
How about when you visit either Store A or B, your widget isn't in stock? Store A tells you that it isn't in and it might be in tomorrow and to check back with them later. Store B offers to call the supplier immediately for you and asks for your contact information so they can contact you when the widget is available for you. (Man, I have to tell you- so far Store B is awesome!!)
Store A- 0
Store B- 2
Another comparison between Stores A and B is time. Let's face it, we all have someplace else that we need to be and there never seems to be enough hours, minutes, or seconds in the day to get all that we want to accomplish. Store A has a line of people 3-5 people deep waiting to get their widget, and their method to getting those widgets to you is to have you wait in line and taking up your valuable time to tell them what you want and their process begins. It starts with the surly clerk who while is pretending to listen to your request, is actually checking a text to see where the party is that night or who is dating who. That clerk then relays to another person, who relays to another. Finally, your a widget is placed in a sack, payment is demanded and you are pushed out the door without so much as a "thank you" or a grunt showing that your business is appreciated. Only once you get home, you realize that the wrong widget was given and you have to go back to Store A and start the process over again.
Ever play the game where people whisper a phrase into their neighbor's ear and it is passed on to a number of people? Generally the outcome is completely different than the original statement. As a consumer, you deserve to receive the widget that you want and/or need and the margin for error should be as minimal as possible.
Store B on the other hand has 3-5 people waiting for their widgets, but the clerks come to you rather than serving one person at a time, causing you to wait in line. The order for your widget is written down and repeated to you in order to check for accuracy and then delivered to the person who fills your order. Your order is then triple checked for accuracy and you are back to your busy life with hardly any time wasted at all.
Store A- 0
Store B- 3
Of course, the above scenario is purely fictitious. But yet, there are definitely stores that possess these qualities, both positive and negative. Although, if price and location are the same and by some crazy coincidence the descriptions above were actual stores, which store would be the most logical (there's that keyword again) choice?
In my opinion, it's a no-brainer. Store B would be the one that gets my business. Honestly though, I constantly find myself finding errors in the customer service at businesses that I visit. And, if I am truly being honest, I am probably a pretty tough customer in that I believe that if I am paying my own, hard earned cash, I deserve to be treated in a polite and courteous manner and receive the proper items.
I couldn't be the only one who thinks that way, could I? Somehow, I don't think so....
So now, let's examine How Change Can Be A Good Thing.
Does anyone remember when Coca-Cola tried a new formula? Coke fans strongly expressed their dissatisfaction and quicker than you could have said "oops, maybe we shouldn't change a good thing here" Coca-Cola Classic was on the shelves and soon thereafter the "new" formula was nothing but a distant memory. That, would be an example of when change isn't such a great thing.
But what if the change was taking a new job in a new city? The new job offered better pay, benefits, bonus schedule, free child care...the works! And along with the great changes in your job you get to move to a new city that could provide better schools for your children, more entertainment options, and a strong and vibrant community that has all that you could ask for!
Change can also pay dividends in your personal life. Be it changing your diet and exercising more or quitting a vice you may have like smoking or gambling. Changing your diet and exercising could help you not only get into better shape, but also provide an improved feeling of yourself. Quitting smoking could help you live a longer, healthier life and curbing a gambling addiction could lead to a few more dollars in your pocket and/or reduce stress in your life.
One type of change that gets under my skin is when one of my favorite establishments or sporting team changes management and/or ownership. The new manager tries to keep everything the same but doesn't have the same "touch" that the previous manager had. I'm sure we can all think of examples of those types of changes. A few that come to mind is John Blake and OU football. Coach Blake seemed to have all the necessary qualifications to lead the Sooners to glory but yet he just couldn't do the job. Same thing with the Dallas Cowboys and Wade Phillips or Time/Warner buying AOL,or even the decision to produce the Edsel and so on.
The common denominator in most changes is risk versus reward. How much risk are the companies, sports teams, and or even customers willing to risk in order to reap the benefits of the change being the right decision. Coke took a risk and they paid for it, however they are still doing pretty well today. The new job and city could present risk in that you are leaving the place that you have always been, a comfort zone so to speak, in that you are leaving and have no idea of the possibilities that would be available to you. The changes in your personal life would represent sacrifice which would require will power and intestinal fortitude in order to achieve the desired result. OU took a calculated risk in hiring Bob Stoops that seems to have paid off while the Dallas Cowboys found that Wade couldn't accomplish the goals set by the ownership of the team. AOL is still around (I think), but the reward for Time/Warner has not been anywhere near their expectations. And the poor Edsel has become synonymous with failure. Sometimes customers feel that change would be too difficult and are willing to sacrifice reward without knowing how little risk is involved.
Retail businesses deal constantly with change. An example would be one of my favorite record stores (for the kids reading this- a record is a round piece of vinyl that had grooves on it and when a needle was placed on it in a record player...aww heck, I'm showing my age again- suffice to say it's a music store) changed managers. The first manager kept a wide range of music and was extremely knowledgeable of not only new bands coming out but could also suggest some incredible music that was just under the radar of the Billboard Top 40. Well, that manager was so good that he was offered and accepted a position in a completely different city and was replaced by someone who thought they knew music, but in the end really didn't know much more than what was the popular artist at the time and would try to pretend to be knowledgeable of the music scene therefore causing my experience to be less than satisfactory. What I ended up doing was asking advice of fellow music lovers, saw various options and found the store that best fit my needs.
It reminds me of the following verse from Matthew 7:7:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Although the verse isn't talking about record stores or coaches, I think that it provides sound advice into many aspects of our lives. It also reminds me of a song by U2 called, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" where Bono sings about his struggles with finding a place in which he believes and feels comfortable and accepted in while listing the various options he took. The song and the verse have more in common with each other rather than making consumer decisions but both speak about the apprehension of weighing risk versus reward when making a change.
Sometimes, the hardest thing we can do is ask someone else for help or advice but once we can do so, more often than not a more attractive option is presented. Also, perhaps we are looking for the Store B or service as described above we find a familiar face behind the counter. Or when we realize a potential opportunity- we need to possess the courage to walk up to that door and see what is available to us, perhaps the solution to our problem can be solved much easier than expected.
Apples are apples and oranges are oranges and they can both be found in grocery stores but are quite often they have different prices. Sometimes we go to the place that is more convenient to our location, sometimes we go to the place with higher prices because we receive better service or selection, or maybe we just go to the same store because that is where we have always gone. People can become creatures of habit, and Coke was hoping that customers would continue buying their product even though it was a new formula, what they found was that their customers wanted the product that they have known and trusted in its quality for years.
But if you had the opportunity to choose between two stores that had the same prices and products but certain differences existed such as customer service or management that possesses the quality and experience that you are looking for, and quite frankly deserve...wouldn't it be logical to knock on the door of that establishment and see if and how you can get the highest possible value for your money?
The doors at Heritage Pharmacy don't have to be knocked on, they open automatically and welcome you in as you recognize the person behind the counter that represents the quality, experience and service that you deserve and have received since 1976. From his beginning at the Wal Mart pharmacy to his recent opening of Heritage Pharmacy, Dennis Satchell has been and continues to be a trusted source of advice as well as a loyal friend to the families in the area who have received the value of his experience and generosity to those that have asked, searched, and found what they were looking for in a trusted pharmacist.
At Heritage Pharmacy, we strive to provide value to you and your family, not only in your pocketbook, but also with the knowledge that your satisfaction is our primary mission. We invite you to stop by and let us show you exactly how important your well-being is to us and how easily your goal can be realized of receiving quality care that you deserve.
I don't think that I am alone in having the opinion that quality customer service is a huge advantage to businesses. For example, Store A has a widget priced at $150.00, Store B has the same widget at the same price. Store A has surly, immature clerks who are more interested in checking their phones for text messages and can barely grunt the total price to you much less say hello or good morning. Store B has clerks that greet you when you enter the store, ask if they can help with anything else in addition to your widget and offers additional information regarding your widget at no extra charge.
On my score sheet, Store B gets one point.
Store A- 0
Store B- 1
Since there is more to customer service than the clerks, let's look at a few other examples such as accessibility. Store A is centrally located in your community on a major street. Store B is centrally located on a major street.
Draw- no points awarded
Store A- 0
Store B- 1
How about when you visit either Store A or B, your widget isn't in stock? Store A tells you that it isn't in and it might be in tomorrow and to check back with them later. Store B offers to call the supplier immediately for you and asks for your contact information so they can contact you when the widget is available for you. (Man, I have to tell you- so far Store B is awesome!!)
Store A- 0
Store B- 2
Another comparison between Stores A and B is time. Let's face it, we all have someplace else that we need to be and there never seems to be enough hours, minutes, or seconds in the day to get all that we want to accomplish. Store A has a line of people 3-5 people deep waiting to get their widget, and their method to getting those widgets to you is to have you wait in line and taking up your valuable time to tell them what you want and their process begins. It starts with the surly clerk who while is pretending to listen to your request, is actually checking a text to see where the party is that night or who is dating who. That clerk then relays to another person, who relays to another. Finally, your a widget is placed in a sack, payment is demanded and you are pushed out the door without so much as a "thank you" or a grunt showing that your business is appreciated. Only once you get home, you realize that the wrong widget was given and you have to go back to Store A and start the process over again.
Ever play the game where people whisper a phrase into their neighbor's ear and it is passed on to a number of people? Generally the outcome is completely different than the original statement. As a consumer, you deserve to receive the widget that you want and/or need and the margin for error should be as minimal as possible.
Store B on the other hand has 3-5 people waiting for their widgets, but the clerks come to you rather than serving one person at a time, causing you to wait in line. The order for your widget is written down and repeated to you in order to check for accuracy and then delivered to the person who fills your order. Your order is then triple checked for accuracy and you are back to your busy life with hardly any time wasted at all.
Store A- 0
Store B- 3
Of course, the above scenario is purely fictitious. But yet, there are definitely stores that possess these qualities, both positive and negative. Although, if price and location are the same and by some crazy coincidence the descriptions above were actual stores, which store would be the most logical (there's that keyword again) choice?
In my opinion, it's a no-brainer. Store B would be the one that gets my business. Honestly though, I constantly find myself finding errors in the customer service at businesses that I visit. And, if I am truly being honest, I am probably a pretty tough customer in that I believe that if I am paying my own, hard earned cash, I deserve to be treated in a polite and courteous manner and receive the proper items.
I couldn't be the only one who thinks that way, could I? Somehow, I don't think so....
So now, let's examine How Change Can Be A Good Thing.
Does anyone remember when Coca-Cola tried a new formula? Coke fans strongly expressed their dissatisfaction and quicker than you could have said "oops, maybe we shouldn't change a good thing here" Coca-Cola Classic was on the shelves and soon thereafter the "new" formula was nothing but a distant memory. That, would be an example of when change isn't such a great thing.
But what if the change was taking a new job in a new city? The new job offered better pay, benefits, bonus schedule, free child care...the works! And along with the great changes in your job you get to move to a new city that could provide better schools for your children, more entertainment options, and a strong and vibrant community that has all that you could ask for!
Change can also pay dividends in your personal life. Be it changing your diet and exercising more or quitting a vice you may have like smoking or gambling. Changing your diet and exercising could help you not only get into better shape, but also provide an improved feeling of yourself. Quitting smoking could help you live a longer, healthier life and curbing a gambling addiction could lead to a few more dollars in your pocket and/or reduce stress in your life.
One type of change that gets under my skin is when one of my favorite establishments or sporting team changes management and/or ownership. The new manager tries to keep everything the same but doesn't have the same "touch" that the previous manager had. I'm sure we can all think of examples of those types of changes. A few that come to mind is John Blake and OU football. Coach Blake seemed to have all the necessary qualifications to lead the Sooners to glory but yet he just couldn't do the job. Same thing with the Dallas Cowboys and Wade Phillips or Time/Warner buying AOL,or even the decision to produce the Edsel and so on.
The common denominator in most changes is risk versus reward. How much risk are the companies, sports teams, and or even customers willing to risk in order to reap the benefits of the change being the right decision. Coke took a risk and they paid for it, however they are still doing pretty well today. The new job and city could present risk in that you are leaving the place that you have always been, a comfort zone so to speak, in that you are leaving and have no idea of the possibilities that would be available to you. The changes in your personal life would represent sacrifice which would require will power and intestinal fortitude in order to achieve the desired result. OU took a calculated risk in hiring Bob Stoops that seems to have paid off while the Dallas Cowboys found that Wade couldn't accomplish the goals set by the ownership of the team. AOL is still around (I think), but the reward for Time/Warner has not been anywhere near their expectations. And the poor Edsel has become synonymous with failure. Sometimes customers feel that change would be too difficult and are willing to sacrifice reward without knowing how little risk is involved.
Retail businesses deal constantly with change. An example would be one of my favorite record stores (for the kids reading this- a record is a round piece of vinyl that had grooves on it and when a needle was placed on it in a record player...aww heck, I'm showing my age again- suffice to say it's a music store) changed managers. The first manager kept a wide range of music and was extremely knowledgeable of not only new bands coming out but could also suggest some incredible music that was just under the radar of the Billboard Top 40. Well, that manager was so good that he was offered and accepted a position in a completely different city and was replaced by someone who thought they knew music, but in the end really didn't know much more than what was the popular artist at the time and would try to pretend to be knowledgeable of the music scene therefore causing my experience to be less than satisfactory. What I ended up doing was asking advice of fellow music lovers, saw various options and found the store that best fit my needs.
It reminds me of the following verse from Matthew 7:7:
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
Although the verse isn't talking about record stores or coaches, I think that it provides sound advice into many aspects of our lives. It also reminds me of a song by U2 called, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" where Bono sings about his struggles with finding a place in which he believes and feels comfortable and accepted in while listing the various options he took. The song and the verse have more in common with each other rather than making consumer decisions but both speak about the apprehension of weighing risk versus reward when making a change.
Sometimes, the hardest thing we can do is ask someone else for help or advice but once we can do so, more often than not a more attractive option is presented. Also, perhaps we are looking for the Store B or service as described above we find a familiar face behind the counter. Or when we realize a potential opportunity- we need to possess the courage to walk up to that door and see what is available to us, perhaps the solution to our problem can be solved much easier than expected.
Apples are apples and oranges are oranges and they can both be found in grocery stores but are quite often they have different prices. Sometimes we go to the place that is more convenient to our location, sometimes we go to the place with higher prices because we receive better service or selection, or maybe we just go to the same store because that is where we have always gone. People can become creatures of habit, and Coke was hoping that customers would continue buying their product even though it was a new formula, what they found was that their customers wanted the product that they have known and trusted in its quality for years.
But if you had the opportunity to choose between two stores that had the same prices and products but certain differences existed such as customer service or management that possesses the quality and experience that you are looking for, and quite frankly deserve...wouldn't it be logical to knock on the door of that establishment and see if and how you can get the highest possible value for your money?
The doors at Heritage Pharmacy don't have to be knocked on, they open automatically and welcome you in as you recognize the person behind the counter that represents the quality, experience and service that you deserve and have received since 1976. From his beginning at the Wal Mart pharmacy to his recent opening of Heritage Pharmacy, Dennis Satchell has been and continues to be a trusted source of advice as well as a loyal friend to the families in the area who have received the value of his experience and generosity to those that have asked, searched, and found what they were looking for in a trusted pharmacist.
At Heritage Pharmacy, we strive to provide value to you and your family, not only in your pocketbook, but also with the knowledge that your satisfaction is our primary mission. We invite you to stop by and let us show you exactly how important your well-being is to us and how easily your goal can be realized of receiving quality care that you deserve.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Meaning of Heritage
Let's get a little philosophical today and look at the meaning or symbolism of "HERITAGE". Dennis put a lot of thought into the naming of his pharmacy not only as a way to distinguish the business, but also as a way to show his appreciation for what the people and families in the area have done for him.
From the Book of Joel, Chapter 1 verses 2-3 (International version)
(2)Hear this, you elders;
listen, all who live in the land.
Has anything like this ever happened in your days
or in the days of your ancestors?
(3)Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation
For most people, the definition of Heritage is somewhat similar to the words of the Prophet Joel above where Heritage is something learned or taught which has been handed down from ones predecessors. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the English word 'heritage' has several senses, which are listed as follows:
2. hereditary succession to a title or an office or property- the first thing that comes to my mind after reading this is the Walton family. At the time of Sam Walton's death, he was the richest man in the United States. After his estate was split, his heirs were either THE top five or in the top five richest in the U.S.
3. any attribute or immaterial possession that is inherited from ancestors
- In my family, some of the kids will make a face or grin, sometimes even a statement that will make the parents say, "That's the PaPa Pete in you".
4. that which is inherited- This one basically speaks for itself and quite honestly is very similar to the second "sense" that Merriam-Webster provides.
As you may have seen in our recent ad, some synonyms for Heritage can include tradition, experience, family, law, or heirloom. More often than not, Heritage is something that a person or family is something to be proud of and held in high esteem. Listening to Dennis speak about his childhood and what he learned from his elders, one can definitely understand how proud he is of his heritage.
Heritage is a word that is generally used in conjuction with family, so how would family come into the picture while deciding upon a name for a business? The answer to that question is fairly simple if you, dear reader, have ever come into the pharmacy and had an opportunity to visit with Dennis, he can tell you stories about your own family that maybe you don't even know. That doesn't come from being nosy or into other people's business- a talent like that comes from longevity and experience with people in the area.
Heritage doesn't always have to do with family, as evidenced above, it can describe experience. The world of pharmacology changes daily and it is one that accuracy and knowledge of the subject that a practioner needs to have an almost vice-like grip of in order to provide the best and highest quality service to his or her customers. While your health care provider is extremely knowledgeable themselves on the subject, your pharmacist should be as well. Be it drug to drug interactions or dosage instructions, keeping a watchful eye looking out for you is something that money can't buy. While the subject of money is up, perhaps a new over the counter medication has come out that you have previously recieved only in prescription form is available which could perhaps either save you money from your co-pay or by possibly having to visit your doctor for an appointment to just see if you can get a refill (Note. in no way whatsoever shape or form are we advocating NOT consulting your physician regarding medication. If you do not have a family physician we would be more than happy to provide you with contact information of ALL physicians in the area).
Heritage can also symbolize 'tradition'. Generally traditions are thought of around the holidays be it reminicing of Grandma's pumpkin pie or how Uncle Joe always had to eat in front of the t.v. to watch the football games on Thanksgiving. Most traditions come from family recommendations or experiences. Many times we find ourselves doing things because that was what Mom always did or we were advised by our elders the proper way to conduct business. More often than not, when Dennis is speaking to someone about their family that person will say "Well, <insert relative here> always said to come see you and I would be in big trouble if <that same relative> knew I was going somewhere else".
In the end, there are many meanings to the word "Heritage", and most can be attributed to family. The word family can give us many different feelings, be it trust, security, or even a feeling of overall well being. However you interpret the meaning of Heritage or Family, know that Dennis definitely had all those definitions or synonyms and more in mind when deciding upon the name Heritage Pharmacy. We hope that if you are reading this post and haven't been in to see us yet you will do so soon because at Heritage Pharmacy we strive to provide quality service from people you know.
From the Book of Joel, Chapter 1 verses 2-3 (International version)
(2)Hear this, you elders;
listen, all who live in the land.
Has anything like this ever happened in your days
or in the days of your ancestors?
(3)Tell it to your children,
and let your children tell it to their children,
and their children to the next generation
For most people, the definition of Heritage is somewhat similar to the words of the Prophet Joel above where Heritage is something learned or taught which has been handed down from ones predecessors. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the English word 'heritage' has several senses, which are listed as follows:
- practices that are handed down from the past by tradition- this is similar to what Joel had in mind. Many of us do various tasks, use recipes etc. in a manner that would make our elders proud.
2. hereditary succession to a title or an office or property- the first thing that comes to my mind after reading this is the Walton family. At the time of Sam Walton's death, he was the richest man in the United States. After his estate was split, his heirs were either THE top five or in the top five richest in the U.S.
3. any attribute or immaterial possession that is inherited from ancestors
- In my family, some of the kids will make a face or grin, sometimes even a statement that will make the parents say, "That's the PaPa Pete in you".4. that which is inherited- This one basically speaks for itself and quite honestly is very similar to the second "sense" that Merriam-Webster provides.
Heritage is a word that is generally used in conjuction with family, so how would family come into the picture while deciding upon a name for a business? The answer to that question is fairly simple if you, dear reader, have ever come into the pharmacy and had an opportunity to visit with Dennis, he can tell you stories about your own family that maybe you don't even know. That doesn't come from being nosy or into other people's business- a talent like that comes from longevity and experience with people in the area.
Dennis has been in Kingfisher since 1976, born and raised in Lacy (east on HWY 51 from Hennessey in case you aren't familiar), so he knows the value of both family and heritage. He also knows that any and all of his success as a pharmacist here has to do with hard, honest work and the families in the communities and surrounding areas. Those people are a big part of Dennis' heritage, and the service he provided them and still provides today is something that gives him great pride.
(All photos can be found around Heritage Pharmacy which are hand or footprints of Dennis' grandchildren or children of employees of Heritage Pharmacy)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Losing Weight and Keeping It Off
Could Drinking Water Before Meals Help You Lose Weight? (HealthDay News) -- Close the diet books and skip the pills. The latest weight-loss trick may be as simple as gulping a couple of glasses of water before you eat.
A new study found that middle-aged and older adults who drank two cups of water before each meal consumed fewer calories and lost more weight than those who skipped drinking water.Researchers divided two groups of overweight and obese men and women aged 55 to 75 into two groups: one group was told to follow a low-fat, low-calorie diet; the other group was told to follow the same diet and to drink two cups of water before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
After 12 weeks, those who drank water before meals had lost 15.5 pounds, compared to 11 pounds for the non-water drinkers, a nearly 30 percent difference.
The researchers got the idea for the weight-loss program from their prior research, which found that when middle-aged and older adults drank water before meals, they ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories at the meal.
What they weren't sure about, however, was if water drinkers would compensate by eating more throughout the rest of the day, said senior study author Brenda Davy, an associate professor in the department of human nutrition, foods and exercise at Virginia Tech. But after 12 weeks of dieting, that didn't happen.
"Drinking more water is a pretty simple strategy that may be helpful to people trying to lose weight," Davy said. "We're not saying, 'Drink more water and the body fat will melt away'. But for people who are trying to lose weight and trying to follow a low-cal diet, it's something they can do as part of that."
The research was to be presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston.
One of the most vexing issues with dieting is how difficult it is to keep the weight off long-term, Davy said. After the 12 weeks were up, Davy and her colleagues have continued to follow the participants.
After one year, preliminary data shows that those who continued to drink water before meals not only kept those pounds off, but have even continued to lose a bit more -- about 1.5 pounds on average.
Yet pre-meal water chugging comes with one caveat: it may only work if you're middle-aged or older, Davy said.
Prior research has shown that in those aged 18 to 35, drinking water before the meal did not cause them to eat fewer calories at the meal, Davy said.
In older people, it takes longer for the stomach to empty, which may be why the water helps them feel fuller and less hungry, while in younger people, water begins leaving the stomach almost immediately, Davy said.
Barry Popkin, director of the University of North Carolina Nutrition Obesity Research Center, called the findings "promising." His research has shown people who drinks lots of water drink fewer sugary beverages, eat more fruits and vegetables and overall consume fewer calories throughout the day.
One culprit in the obesity epidemic is that Americans consume some 300 calories more a day in sugary beverages than they did 30 years ago, Popkin added. That includes soda, punch and fruit juices with added sugar, sports drinks and sweetened tea.
"If you drink some more water right before a meal and fill up a little bit right before, there is the potential you may reduce your food intake," Popkin said. "But what we're concerned with is encouraging people to drink water to replace all the caloric beverages we're drinking."
Another challenge to the water-before-meals weight-loss strategy is getting people to do it, said Carla Wolper, an assistant professor in the Eating Disorders Center at Columbia University and a research faculty member at the New York Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City.
"The question is, do people continue to drink the water in a non-study situation?" Wolper said. "We know there are a lot of simple things people could do to lose weight. Clinical trials have shown if people write down what they eat, they lost twice as much weight. Yet it's very hard to get people to write down what they eat. Or, if people would reduce portions just a little bit, they would lose weight. But people don't do it."
The same goes for drinking more water. Even seemingly small changes require commitment. "Changing a pattern of behavior is complicated, and requires time and energy," Wolper said.
Still, it could be worth a try, she added. "Unless people overload on water, it's harmless, inexpensive. And if over the course of the entire day, it reduces the amount of food people take in, then of course it's a good idea," Wolper said.
Dieticians often will suggest a non-caloric drink such as club soda with lemon, diet soda or tea to help resist the urge to snack after dinner, Wolper said.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Random Musings In and Around the "Pharm"
For those of you who haven't noticed, the weather has been doing some fluctuation lately. One day it's clear and 75, the next it's 43 with a strong north wind. Personally, it wreaks havoc on my allergies/sinuses. Perfect timing, Allegra thought anyway, for their over-the counter version to come available. If you have used Allegra before or are interested in what it is, come on by and we will be more than happy to show you information regarding the product.
On another note, Heritage Pharmacy is the proud sponsor of a U6 soccer team this spring. The team's nickname is "The Ponies" (although I think they should have changed to "The Little Pills") and they are coached by Brian Gilles and Stephen Osterholt. Last fall, the Ponies had a great season and ended up getting second place in the tournament. This year, the kids got off to a great start by defeating a very tough Enforcers squad by the score of 1-0. Hope Stafford was credited with the score and was assisted by the entire team. If you have ever seen a U6 soccer game, you know what I mean.
Finally, Maria lost one pound last week while Jon lost 6. They are going to re-visit the doctor next week so hopefully they have been progressing according to his wishes.
That's all for today web-surfers. Keep checking back for any new updates or news or better yet, just stop on by Heritage Pharmacy at 1309 S Main Street in Kingfisher.
On another note, Heritage Pharmacy is the proud sponsor of a U6 soccer team this spring. The team's nickname is "The Ponies" (although I think they should have changed to "The Little Pills") and they are coached by Brian Gilles and Stephen Osterholt. Last fall, the Ponies had a great season and ended up getting second place in the tournament. This year, the kids got off to a great start by defeating a very tough Enforcers squad by the score of 1-0. Hope Stafford was credited with the score and was assisted by the entire team. If you have ever seen a U6 soccer game, you know what I mean.
Finally, Maria lost one pound last week while Jon lost 6. They are going to re-visit the doctor next week so hopefully they have been progressing according to his wishes.
That's all for today web-surfers. Keep checking back for any new updates or news or better yet, just stop on by Heritage Pharmacy at 1309 S Main Street in Kingfisher.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Travel Tips for Spring Breakers (or for those who are just getting away for awhile)
It's coming to that time of year again where the weather is getting nice and we start to feel that urge to get out and see something new. Maybe a trip to Colorado for skiing is on your agenda. Perhaps a week at the beach is in the cards for you. Either way, your friendly neighborhood amigos here at Heritage Pharmacy would like to provide a few tips for those of you jet-setters out there.
Of course, all these items and more are available for you at Heritage Pharmacy located at 1309 S. Main in Kingfisher.
- Schedule an appointment with your physician well in advance of your trip.
- Have necessary immunizations for your destination.
- Check insurance coverage for travel abroad.
- Have your insurance information cards and claim form with you.
- Obtain a letter from your physician regarding your health history, medications, allergies, and immunization records.
- Have an emergency release form.
- Complete the inside page of your passport with important identification and emergency contact information.
- Have an ample supply of medication in original, labeled containers. Do not use pill cases or other unlabeled containers.
- Carry along extra prescriptions, as well as a letter from your physician explaining your need for the drug, as some countries have strict laws regarding narcotics.
- Carry along the generic names of your medications as pharmaceutical companies overseas may use different names from those in the United States.
- If you wear eyeglasses, take an extra pair with you.
- As an extra precaution, pack extra eyeglasses and medication in carry-on luggage in case checked baggage is lost.
- Consider wearing a "medical alert" bracelet if you have allergies or reactions to medications, insect bites, certain foods, or other unique medical problems.
- Pack a travelers' first aid kit for on-the-road emergencies.
- Discuss with your physician how you will take medication as you cross time zones.
- Water purification tablets
- Pack epinephrine (EpiPen) if you have severe allergies
- Check with the American Embassy or Consulate to inquire about the types of medications allowed into the country you are visiting.
- Stop by Heritage Pharmacy and have us print out a profile of your medications just in case it would be needed if you are seen by a physician while on your trip. Or, if you haven't already, add our phone number to your contacts in your mobile phone (405) 375-6300.
- acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin to relieve headaches, pain, fever, and simple sprains or strains
- antihistamines to relieve allergies and inflammation
- anti-nausea/motion sickness medication (You may also want to include medication for altitude sickness if traveling to high altitudes.)
- bandages of assorted sizes to cover minor cuts and scrapes
- bandage closures, such as butterfly bandages, to tape edges of minor cuts together
- triangular bandage to wrap injuries and make an arm sling
- elastic wraps to wrap wrist, ankle, knee, and elbow injuries
- gauze in rolls, as well as two-inch and four-inch pads to dress larger cuts and scrapes
- adhesive tape to keep gauze in place
- scissors with rounded tips to cut tape, gauze, or clothes, if necessary
- safety pins to fasten splints and bandages
- antiseptic wipes to disinfect wounds or clean hands, tweezers, scissors, or other utensils
- antibiotic ointment to prevent infection in cuts, scrapes, and burns
- hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect wounds
- disposable, instant-activating cold packs to cool injuries and burns, as well as for use in strains and sprains
- tweezers to remove small splinters, foreign objects, bee stingers, and ticks from the skin
- disposable rubber gloves to protect hands and reduce risk of infection when treating wounds
- thermometer to take temperatures in case of illness
- calamine lotion to relieve itching and irritation from insect bites and poison ivy
- hydrocortisone cream to relieve irritation from rashes
- sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher
- insect repellent (Those appropriate for use on children should contain no more than 10 to 15 percent DEET, and 30 to 50 percent DEET or up to 15 percent of picaridin for adults, as the chemical can cause harm when absorbed through the skin.)
- medicine for diarrhea (Talk to your physician about a prescription for an antibiotic you can take in case of diarrhea.)
- cough and cold medicines
- epinephrine auto-injector for severe allergies
- list of prescription medications and generic names
- water purification tablets
Of course, all these items and more are available for you at Heritage Pharmacy located at 1309 S. Main in Kingfisher.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Our First Post!
Welcome to Heritage Pharmacy's blog! The purpose of this blog is to provide information about what is going on in the pharmacy, to share information happening in the community and to provide a forum in which you, our customers/patients/friends/supporters/etc can provide feedback or suggestions that are essential for us to provide the highest quality service available.
One thing I would like to make aware to everyone is our texting and e-mail services that we have available. We have a number of customers that take advantage of both which lets them know that their prescriptions are available for pick up. However, our pharmacist and technicians also carry cell phones with them that are available to receive both email and text. For example, if you, dear reader, have a question or happen to remember while you are in a situation where you cannot speak on the phone- you can simply send us a text message or email to us so that we can have your prescription refilled or question answered in a prompt manner. Our contact information is as follows:
Dennis Satchell, Pharmacist- (405) 368- 6805
Laynette Harrison, Technician- (405) 368- 4035
Jon Friesen, Technician/CAO- (405) 368- 6810
Email- heritagepharmacy@pldi.net
Also, please know that we have a fan page on Facebook and you can join by clicking here where you can keep up on various events as well as sharing us with your friends.
As most pharmacies are doing these days, we offer much more than just filling prescriptions and providing over the counter medications. Currently we have jewelry on display by the LKF collection, frames by M3 Designs, and crosses made by Ginger Snaps Decor.
In the pharmacy itself, we are going to let you in on a contest that is going on between Jon and Maria Reyes. They are both currently on the HCG Diet which started on February 2nd. To date, Maria has lost 22 pounds and Jon has lost 31 pounds. If you are interested in learning more about the diet and how it works, please come in and ask us about it and we would be more than happy to tell you all about our experience. By the way, Jon and Maria have a little bet as to who will lose more and let's just say that if you don't know Jon, suffice it to say that he is one competitive individual.
Don't forget that we offer free blood pressure checks as well as glucose level testing here at our "coffee table" where you can come in and read the local newspapers. We hope to make Heritage Pharmacy your home for your medicinal needs and that you will visit this page often.
One thing I would like to make aware to everyone is our texting and e-mail services that we have available. We have a number of customers that take advantage of both which lets them know that their prescriptions are available for pick up. However, our pharmacist and technicians also carry cell phones with them that are available to receive both email and text. For example, if you, dear reader, have a question or happen to remember while you are in a situation where you cannot speak on the phone- you can simply send us a text message or email to us so that we can have your prescription refilled or question answered in a prompt manner. Our contact information is as follows:
Dennis Satchell, Pharmacist- (405) 368- 6805
Laynette Harrison, Technician- (405) 368- 4035
Jon Friesen, Technician/CAO- (405) 368- 6810
Email- heritagepharmacy@pldi.net
Also, please know that we have a fan page on Facebook and you can join by clicking here where you can keep up on various events as well as sharing us with your friends.
As most pharmacies are doing these days, we offer much more than just filling prescriptions and providing over the counter medications. Currently we have jewelry on display by the LKF collection, frames by M3 Designs, and crosses made by Ginger Snaps Decor.
In the pharmacy itself, we are going to let you in on a contest that is going on between Jon and Maria Reyes. They are both currently on the HCG Diet which started on February 2nd. To date, Maria has lost 22 pounds and Jon has lost 31 pounds. If you are interested in learning more about the diet and how it works, please come in and ask us about it and we would be more than happy to tell you all about our experience. By the way, Jon and Maria have a little bet as to who will lose more and let's just say that if you don't know Jon, suffice it to say that he is one competitive individual.
Don't forget that we offer free blood pressure checks as well as glucose level testing here at our "coffee table" where you can come in and read the local newspapers. We hope to make Heritage Pharmacy your home for your medicinal needs and that you will visit this page often.
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