A Chicago Tribune investigation tested how often pharmacists would recognize and warn patients about potentially dangerous interactions between two of their prescriptions.
Out of 255 pharmacies, 52 percent failed to mention the dangers when selling the medication. In one instance, a CVS pharmacy sold a Tribune reporter the antibiotic clarithromycin and anti-cholesterol drug simvastatin, which went taken together, could cause “a severe breakdown in muscle tissue and lead to kidney failure and death.”
But the pharmacist never mentioned this risk during the sale.
“Counseling has to occur,” said Carmen Catizone, executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, in response to the investigation.
For more on the findings on the investigation, including which pharmacies were the least likely to identify dangerous combinations and what changes members of Congress want to see, click on the link below:
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.