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What's New in Pharmacy

Keeping you informed is also part of our pharmacy program philosophy.  This section brings you regular updates on important news related to pharmacy.

Move Your Prescription(s) from One Pharmacy to Another in Five Easy Steps
Posted 1/6/11

Most pharmacies have a simple prescription transferring process.  You can ask the pharmacy staff to transfer your prescriptions over the phone or in the store. The pharmacy will need some information from you when you ask them to transfer your prescription; here are five easy steps to make the process as simple as possible: 

1. Pick your new preferred pharmacy. (Tips for choosing the best pharmacy for your health care needs can be found in our Find a Pharmacy tool.)
2. Get the name and phone number of your old pharmacy, the prescription number, and the name and phone number of the doctor who gave you the prescription. This information is on the label of your prescription bottle.
3. Call or visit the new pharmacy.
4. Tell the new pharmacy that you wish to transfer your prescription.
5. Give the pharmacist the information you put together earlier- the name and phone number of the old pharmacy, the prescription number and name of the medication, and the doctor’s information.

The new pharmacy will usually do the rest of the work and will generally contact your old pharmacy to get any additional information they need.

Safety Risks with High-Dose Simvastatin (Zocor^®)
Posted 9/26/11

In June, the FDA released new safety information about the cholesterol-lowering medication simvastatin. High doses of simvastatin (80 mg) have been shown to have a higher risk of myopathy than lower doses. Patients taking simvastatin with certain medications may also have a higher risk of myopathy. Myopathy is a medical term for muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness. Note that simvastatin is also in the combination medications Vytorin^® (simvastatin/ezetimibe) and Simcor^® (simvastatin and niacin). Here is what you need to know about risks with taking simvastatin:

• Do not stop taking simvastatin unless told to do so by a healthcare professional
• You should review your medication list with your healthcare professional to make sure that your dose of simvastatin is appropriate, and to manage other medications that may interact with simvastatin 
• Contact your healthcare professional immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
• • Muscle pain, tenderness, weakness
  • Dark or red colored urine 
  • Unexplained tiredness
• Talk to your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns about simvastatin-containing medicines

Simvastatin, like other cholesterol lowering medications, has drug interactions with other medications. Please check with your pharmacist or other healthcare practitioners if you have concerns about drug interactions. They can work with your healthcare team to help choose the best medications for your conditions.