Drug Topics - December 12, 2008 - (Page 38)

Product Updates HEADACHE MEDICATIONS of these OTC medications, the answer pharmacists gave most often was “Offer more coupons.” Some respondents even went so far as to say the coupons should be limited to customers shopping at independent pharmacies. With sales of these medications of such great concern to pharmacists and with a large percentage of revenue coming from OTC medications, it’s logical to suppose that pharmacists would make a practice of reaching out to assist consumer decisions. But the survey shows that 88 percent of the time, customers initiated discussions about OTC headache medications. Women between the ages of 31 and 50 made up the majority of those counseled. Pharmacists spoke with male customers about the same products approximately 38 percent of the time, the survey showed. Only 8 percent of respondents’ recommendations were for children between the ages of 13 and 18, and 4 percent were for pa- headache products recommended by tients 12 or younger. Pharmacists say it’s important to stay pharmacists are Advil and Motrin. The up-to-date on OTC headache formula- top two OTC headache products phartions in order to offer the best recom- macists recommend for children are Children’s Motrin and mendations. Children’s Tylenol. Some pharmacists Fifty-six Ibuprofen, naproxeven made the final percent of en, and aspirin are all decision for the conrespondents NSAIDs. Ibuprofen sumer, according to and naproxen are the survey results. Pharsaid revenues most potent and are macists say they typifrom OTC very similar to one cally make that sugheadache another. The only true gestion after spending products difference between only three minutes increased ibuprofen and naproxwith customers. in 2007. en is their duration According to the of action. Naproxen survey results, the top is believed to be the two OTC acetaminolongest-acting NSAID. phen products pharmacists currently recommend for adults Both are very hard on the stomach and are Tylenol and Excedrin. The top two should be taken with food. Long-term OTC aspirin products recommended use of either product can lead to stomfor adults are Ecotrin and Bayer. Of ach ulcers and bleeding, according to the other nonsteroidal anti-inﬂamma- The Consultant Pharmacist journal. Most tory drugs (NSAIDs), the top two OTC pharmacists said that of the four products, they prefer ibuprofen and recommend it most often. When counseling customers, respondents said, they give a variety of information. Some said they “just talk to patients,” while others said they simply provide the medication’s package insert. One pharmacist said he takes the time to share his 28 years of experience if the customer will listen. But not every pharmacist will offer such counsel. Some respondents said they do not counsel customers on OTC headache medications, referring them instead to the manufacturer. Pharmacists said that consumers often bring in guides or information to help them make a decision, including statements they’ve heard on television or seen in magazine advertisements. According to the pharmacists polled, dispelling rumors or false advertising can often be one of the biggest challenges during these counseling sessions. W W W.D R U GTO P I C S .C O M http://www.ApothecaryRxLLC.com http://www.ApothecaryRxLLC.com http://WWW.DRUGTOPICS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Drug Topics - December 12, 2008

Drug Topics - December 12, 2008 Contents Up Front Up Front In Depth Letters Health-System Edition Cover Story: Controlled Substance Disposal a Growing Problem for Hospitals Pharmacists Hope for Speedy Approvals Deaths from C. Difficile Increasing PharmMD Teams with HealthSpring RX Care Commentary Ohio Hospital Automates Pharmacy The Business Outlook for 2009 OTC The Pharmacist's Duty to Warn: Implications for Pharmacy Practice New Products Viewpoint

Drug Topics - December 12, 2008

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