Last month the FDA approved about 40 new medications and 6 new drugs obtained tentative approval.

With so many drugs being produced and approved it is overwhelming to consider how doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, can keep up with the data.

There is finally Auidiolearn.net is the perfect information conduit. They provide audios with over 500 commonly prescribed drugs. The public and medical professionals can also subscribe to the monthly updates at no charge. Audio learning? What a great idea. The audio includes interactions, side effects, indications, and mechanism of action. When else will these busy people have an opportunity to keep abreast the newest drugs?

It is easy to know of a doctor who has not heard of an approved medication that may have fewer side effects or treat an illness more efficiently. When was the last time a physician prescribed a less effective drug than one that was recently approved prescribe the most current medication? No one knows. It is going to take a concerted effort on the part of all professionals to keep up to date with the changes.

This is especially challenging for the elderly. Majority of the elderly are still not computer literate. Many are 100% reliant on their physician to give them advice based on current medications. The elderly population take many drugs on a regular basis. They often visit more than one specialist and their specialists don't always communicate.

If a patient only visits the physician once a year, then this may be a year of taking a drug, that is inferior to alternative available. Many patients endure overwhelming side effects, such as, stomach pains, muscle aches, bloating, cramping and rapid heart beat or worse.

Most insurance companies don't pay for brand name drugs, when a generic alternative is available. What if the pharmacy fills a prescription as prescribed and a generic available? A pharmacy that is alert to the generics available may inform the physician to find out if they will the generic. A pharmacist when they try to but the charge through the insurance company and it comes back. Often no one notices until the order is filled and the patient goes to get their prescription.

Customers ask the pharmacy tech why the bill is so high and the technician checks on it. Of course, this takes up the pharmacy tech's valuable. They come back and state that a generic is available and the health insurance will not provide the coverage to brand name drugs! Some consumers may ask that the pharmacist call the doctor.

Alternatively, most consumers don't know better. They will not say anything and will either pay the more money or not purchase the drugs regardless of how badly it is needed. The higher price without insurance is out of the price range for many customers.

This may seem unbelievable, but there are millions of elderly people who have to choose between prescriptions and eating. They simply don't have funds for both. Obviously, it is an unacceptable situation, it takes time and energy to keep up.

If you are a physician, nurse, pharmacist, pharmacy tech I implore you to take an active roll in providing your patients with the most current information.