The issue of prescription drug samples is one that is hotly debated. Some questions whether giving out samples to lower income patients is helping them by providing them with the medication they need or if it’s hurting them by giving them a sample of a prescription they can not afford in the long term. Here are some resources on the subject to help you decide what you think.

Dr. Wayne S. Strouse wrote a letter to the editor in response to a study that appeared in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine claiming that free drug samples are actually hurting uninsured patients. Strouse disagrees and points out that many of his Medicare and uninsured patients can barely afford to pay co-pays, let alone pay for a prescription. He also criticizes the study for comparing “patients [who are insured or on Medicare] to patients who have insurance (or with money)” saying that it “is comparing apples with oranges.” To read Dr. Strouse’s letter, go to http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/16/1/86-a.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle published an article by guest essayist Benjamin Cohen on the topic of free drug samples. Cohen, who is obviously in favor of the samples, lists the benefits of drug samples as relief for needy patients and education for doctors. He claims that pharmaceutical drug representatives are invaluable to physicians because they provide information about new drugs and advancements that many doctors do not have time to research. He also points out the benefit to lower income and elderly patients who cannot afford prescription drugs on a regular basis. By providing them with drug samples, doctors can ensure their patients are getting the help they need. To read Cohen’s article visit the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle online at http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080620/OPINION02/806200344.

David E. Williams wrote an entry in his Health Business Blog on a new study that was published in the American Journal of Public Health, The study claims prescription drug samples are more often given to wealthy and insured Americans than low-income, uninsured patients. Williams responds with little surprise, stating that drug samples are more of a marketing tool by pharmaceutical companies and are not intended to solely help low-income patients. In fact, he writes, many free clinics don’t even accept drug samples because they know that their patients cannot afford the high-cost drugs long term. Since drug samples are used as a marketing tool, it would make sense that they are made available to insured patients who could then purchase them after trying them out, says Williams. The read this blog post visit http://www.healthbusinessblog.com/?p=1589.

The Delaware County Office of Service for the Aging (COSA) posted a fact sheet on a Medicare Prescription Drug Program, Part D, which took affect January 1, 2006. This federally subsidized drug program for seniors, available through private insurance companies, helps seniors with the cost of their prescription drugs by giving them coverage for a monthly premium of between $11 and $35 a month. This fact sheet describes the benefits and gives instructions on how to enroll in the program. The informational Web page also gives other suggestions on how to save money on drug costs including asking for drug samples from their doctor, buying medications in bulk and using generics when possible. To learn more about the program visit COSA’s Web site at http://www.delcosa.org/site/389/medicare_prescription_drug.aspx.

Ken Johnson, a Senior Vice President in the pharmaceutical division at Research and Manufacturers of America wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Times in response to an article that questions the value of the distribution of free drug samples to doctors for their patients. Johnson argues that many uninsured and low-income patients depend on free drug samples and by discontinuing them it would take away a valuable safety net for these patients. Read Johnson’s letter to the editor here: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/09/opinion/l09drug.html.

A North Carolina resident wrote an opinion article for the News & Record on a current tax law in the state that taxes physicians for free drug samples. The article asserts that current tax laws consider free drugs samples part of the physicians “office supplies,” therefore making it taxable. The author points out that many doctors and patients depend on the free samples for affordable treatment and if doctors cannot pay the taxes on the medication they would not be able to accept them. To read this full article visit the News & Record’s Web site at http://www.news-record.com/content/2008/07/15/article/free_drug_samples_beneficial.

It is a good idea to have your puppy vaccinations at an early age since puppies are very susceptible to different diseases. This way your pet will be protected against infectious diseases. This is especially true for animals that may be spending time in kennels or travelling abroad.

 

If the mother of your puppy is immune your puppy should be protected against most diseases. For the first few weeks of their life they will be protected by the mother’s milk. However, this does not last for very long and then your pup will be susceptible to different types of infectious diseases. Since dogs are very social animals they need to be protected so they can play among others dogs.

 

Distemper is usually the first vaccination given to your puppy. Distemper is a virus that can cause respiratory distress and seizures which can lead to death. You pup will need to get a distemper shot through out the different stages in his life. Sometimes some of the symptoms are loss of appetite, a discharge from the eyes and nose, lethargy, and fever.

 

Kennel Cough is another vaccination that your puppy will need. It affects the bronchi and trachea of dogs and makes them have a loud dry cough. This is not a fatal disease but it is very contagious. This can be considered an optional vaccination. If you live in an area which has a high rate of Kennel Cough you will definitely want to get this vaccination to protect your pup. Consult with your veterinarian they will be able to tell you if the rate in your area is high.

 

The vaccination for Leptospirosis if given through out your dogs life and is usually given in combination with other vaccines. This is not a very common disease and larger dogs seem to be more susceptible to this disease. This disease affects the liver and kidneys of dogs.

 

The Parvovirus vaccination is recommended for almost all dogs. This is a very serious disease and can cause serious vomiting, dehydration and bloody diarrhea. This virus affects the white blood cells in dogs and can harm their immune system. It has been found that some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to Parvovirus than others. Doberman Pinscher’s and Rottweilers are two of the most common breeds that seem to be affected by this disease.

 

Most dogs are vaccinated for Lyme disease if the disease is prevalent in their area. Lyme disease is very prevalent in warmer climates and areas where it is warm and humid. Your pup should be vaccinated for this disease if you plan on doing any type of traveling with your pet. It will cause severe arthritis and lethargy in your dog and can recur once your pet has been infected. It is not a fatal disease and usually can be treated with antibiotics.

 

There has been some debate over whether dogs are being over vaccinated or given too many different kinds of vaccinations. You want to be sure that you protect your puppy from common diseases that can affect them over their lifetime. Talk to your vet and ask their advice on which shots they would recommend for your breed of dog. Where you live will also play a part in what vaccinations your pet should have.

 

Once a year when you take your pup in for their annual examination your veterinarian will administer booster shots to ensure your pet is protected against disease. Some vaccinations will provide three years protection such as the vaccination against parvovirus. Consult with your vet to see which booster shots are needed for your breed of dog and for the area in which you reside.

 

Pet insurance is like having health insurance on yourself, it is there when you need it for those unexpected large health-related bills. By having this kind of insurance you can ensure that your four-legged loved ones will get the best treatment if they are ever injured or seriously ill. They don’t have to be puppies to be eligible; as long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.

Home insurance is a great way of getting coverage for the damages of your home in the events of natural calamity and other accidental occurrences. Buying a home insurance policy is a good decision as it is related to the financial future of your entire family. It is an insurance policy that covers your house, the garage, other related structures, and also personal possessions inside the home against damages caused by everything from fire to natural disasters and even theft. Different home insurance policies offer different levels of coverage.

Home insurance is a type of policy in which a number of protections are combined into one unit. Some of these protections may cover things which are stolen from the home, or it may cover accidents which occur while a person is in their home. It is an investment in security and peace of mind. It is an investment in one’s future. It is not compulsory, but is highly recommended, as the cost of home repairs can be very high if a serious issue is encountered, and because most of an individual’s belongings are held within their home.

Replacement Cost which pays the actual cost of replacing your or possession with no deductions for depreciation. It means the cost to replace the property on the same premises with other property of comparable material and quality used for the same purpose. The term “replacement cost” may be defined in the policy of insurance, so it is important to review the actual policy language.

Replacement cost means that you will get the cost to replace your mobile home in the event it is destroyed. Actual cash value is the replacement cost less depreciation. Replacement value is something completely different than the home’s market value. This might be the cue to raise the amount of coverage, which will also raise the premiums. It is typically calculated by an insurance professional. Sometimes there is a conflict of what the mortgage company is demanding and what the insurance company calculates for replacement cost and consequently advises the insured to insure the property for.

Homeowners should be sure that they meet the security requirements of the insurance providers. They should accommodate locks and deadlocks at all the doors and windows, organize neighborhood watch patrol, and make sure that they fix theft alarms by recognized fitters. It may want to explore policies that offer protection for personal possessions as well. Checking out the Internet to find the options available for extensive protective coverage can be done.

Home insurance is basically the last but not the least step in building a house of your dreams. After all things you’ve done in building your own home, after buying all these furniture and decorating pieces, a wise thing will be to do is insure your house against different risks it may face. Home insurance is going to keep everyone in your family, including your pets safe and happy.