Sometimes the best-laid plans go awry. That's what happened when kudzu was introduced into the U.S. as a way of controlling erosion. Now this invasive plant has taken over large swaths of southeastern landscape and is choking out native species.It... (Read More)
Latest Shows & Articles
from The People's Pharmacy
Subscriptions & Feeds
- All articlesSubscribe to our RSS feed to see all articles as soon as they are posted
- Podcast
- Newsletter
Editorial
Do you have trouble sleeping? If the answer is no, count yourself lucky and read no further. Those who fall asleep easily and sleep soundly throughout the night are truly blessed.If, on the other hand, you're in the third of... (Read More)
When Tylenol was first introduced in 1955 it was a liquid prescription pain reliever and fever reducer for children. It wasn't until 1961 that Tylenol tablets were launched as over-the-counter pain pills for adults. Tylenol and its active ingredient acetaminophen... (Read More)
How do you feel about your feet? If you’re like most people, you’re just as happy to keep your socks and shoes on so nobody else can see or smell them.Warm weather means sandal time. But some folks are too... (Read More)
Ask any sixth grader what 1+1 equals and you will be told the answer is 2. Ask a pharmacist, though, and you might get a different answer.In the Alice-in-Wonderland world of pharmaceuticals, sometimes 1+1 equals 0 or even 3. That’s... (Read More)
In times of economic hardship, low-cost generic drugs can be lifelines. They make it possible for people to continue critical medications. Without them, people could die.But if generic drugs don’t meet quality standards they might be killing people themselves. This... (Read More)
“You scratch my back; I’ll scratch yours.” Human beings have operated on this principle even before the dawn of civilization.This practice can work for mutual benefit, but it also causes problems. When people in power make decisions based on favors,... (Read More)
Our immune systems evolved to protect us against foreign invaders. We are surrounded by bacteria, viruses and fungi that can make us sick, so it’s helpful to have defenders constantly on the prowl, protecting us from danger.The trouble is that... (Read More)
We have been collecting home remedies for more than 30 years. Some are silly, others are implausible, but many are practical and helpful. We try to apply the “might help, won’t hurt, doesn’t cost too much” principle.Sometimes, though, people suggest... (Read More)
hermits come out of their winter hibernation for outdoor activities. Digging, weeding and slinging mulch in the garden; spring cleaning in the attic or garage; and weekend running, tennis or softball can all contribute to strained muscles and aching backs.For... (Read More)
Recent headlines heralded unexpected benefits of a cholesterol-lowering drug: “Crestor Cuts Risk of Clots by 43 Percent.”Crestor (rosuvastatin) made news because deep vein thrombosis can cause blood clots to lodge in the lungs. This is a potentially deadly complication that... (Read More)
Most vitamin supplements have taken a beating in the press over the past few years. That’s because so many studies of vitamin pills to prevent cancer or heart disease have come up short.As a result of the negative news, some... (Read More)
The old wives have just been proven right again. They always claimed that if you wanted to stay healthy you needed to get a good night’s sleep. That was usually defined as about eight hours.In our modern, fast-paced lives, many... (Read More)
The law of unintended consequences can lead to devastating outcomes. During the 1950s thalidomide was developed and prescribed in Europe to help pregnant women cope with morning sickness and insomnia. Tragically, the drug led to an epidemic of birth defects.No... (Read More)
Can the FDA be fixed?Once upon a time the Food and Drug Administration was highly regarded by physicians, pharmacists and the public. People trusted the agency to protect them from contaminated food and dangerous drugs.Congress established the FDA in 1906... (Read More)
Starting a new medicine is easy. Stopping can be hell.Mention the word “withdrawal” and images of dope addicts or alcoholics come to mind: a junkie trying to kick a heroin habit or a wino going through the hallucinations and shakes... (Read More)
Americans are not used to good news about life’s little pleasures. We are told that salt will raise our blood pressure, saturated fat will clog our arteries and that high fructose sweeteners in soft drinks will make us fat.Our Puritan... (Read More)
What is it about winter that puts us out of sorts? Right about now a lot of people are feeling morose, or even downright depressed.Psychologists have a name for the winter blues. They call it seasonal affective disorder, appropriately shortened... (Read More)
At one time, used car salesmen were down near the bottom of the ladder of respect and reputation. But now that automobile sales are scraping bottom, people are actually feeling sorry for the poor guys.Bankers and Wall Street power brokers... (Read More)
In answering the question What are Generic Drugs? on its Web site, the Food and Drug Administration states unequivocally: “A generic drug is identical, or bioequivalent to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality,... (Read More)
Some doctors are defensive about their handwriting. Years ago we criticized prescriptions that patients could not read. One reader shared our column with her physician and got in trouble: "I have never been able to read his handwriting so when you... (Read More)
Hundreds of years ago, people with mental illness might be burned at the stake or locked away in a dungeon. In the early 20th century, some patients with schizophrenia were lobotomized with an ice pick to blunt emotions and reduce... (Read More)
Drug companies justify the high cost of prescription medicines to help pay for breakthroughs of the future. One company even advertises: “Today’s medicines finance tomorrow’s miracles.”The implication is that if we want wonderful medications to cure Alzheimer’s disease, cancer or... (Read More)
At this time of year we get inundated with queries about dry, cracked fingertips. It may seem like a minor annoyance compared to health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure. For those who suffer, though, this can truly make... (Read More)
Americans take way too many medications. They mix and match with barely a second thought.Researchers found that 81 percent of older adults took prescribed drugs. More than half “used 5 or more prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, or dietary supplements” (Journal... (Read More)
The history of asthma medicine is a tale of woe and intrigue. In the 1960s there was a surprising increase in deaths from asthma over previous decades, especially in Australia and England.Many patients were found dead with their inhalers clutched... (Read More)
“Physician, heal thyself” is a proverb from the Bible. It is often interpreted to mean that people should tend to their own frailties before trying to correct the defects of others.Doctors frequently offer lifestyle advice to their patients. “Lose weight”... (Read More)
Fungi love damp dark places, so they often thrive in the crevices between toes and in folds of skin. The groin is especially susceptible. That’s why men often complain of jock itch.Women can have jock itch too. But they may... (Read More)
Everyone loves a bargain. Imagine buying a new Mercedes-Benz worth $60,000 for the price of a Hyundai, say around $20,000. As long as the vehicle had Mercedes parts and performed like a Mercedes, you would be thrilled.In reality, no one... (Read More)
Are you taking a placebo? This may be a shocking idea. A placebo, after all, is a pill, potion or patch that is not expected to have any particular therapeutic effect on your condition. So, surely, your doctor would never... (Read More)
- June 2009 (5)
- May 2009 (4)
- April 2009 (4)
- March 2009 (5)
- February 2009 (4)
- January 2009 (4)
- December 2008 (5)
- November 2008 (4)
- October 2008 (4)
- September 2008 (5)
- August 2008 (4)
- July 2008 (4)
- June 2008 (5)
- May 2008 (4)
- April 2008 (4)
- March 2008 (5)
- February 2008 (4)
- January 2008 (4)
- December 2007 (5)
- November 2007 (4)
- October 2007 (5)
- September 2007 (3)
- August 2007 (4)
- July 2007 (4)
- June 2007 (3)
- May 2007 (4)
- April 2007 (5)
- March 2007 (4)
- February 2007 (4)
- January 2007 (5)
- December 2006 (4)
- November 2006 (4)
- October 2006 (5)
- September 2006 (4)
- August 2006 (4)
- July 2006 (5)
- June 2006 (4)
- May 2006 (5)
- April 2006 (4)
- March 2006 (4)
- February 2006 (4)
- January 2006 (5)
- December 2005 (4)
- November 2005 (4)
- October 2005 (4)
- September 2005 (4)
- August 2005 (4)
- July 2005 (4)
- June 2005 (4)
- May 2005 (5)
- April 2005 (4)
- March 2005 (3)
- February 2005 (4)
- January 2005 (5)
- December 2004 (4)
- November 2004 (5)
- October 2004 (4)
- September 2004 (4)
- August 2004 (5)
- July 2004 (4)
- June 2004 (4)
- May 2004 (4)
- April 2004 (3)
- March 2004 (5)
- February 2004 (4)
- January 2004 (4)
- December 2003 (5)
- November 2003 (4)
- October 2003 (4)
- September 2003 (5)
- August 2003 (4)
- July 2003 (4)
- June 2003 (5)
- May 2003 (4)
- April 2003 (4)
- March 2003 (5)
- February 2003 (4)
- January 2003 (4)
- December 2002 (5)
- November 2002 (4)
- October 2002 (6)
- September 2002 (4)
- August 2002 (3)
- July 2002 (5)
- June 2002 (4)
- May 2002 (4)
- April 2002 (5)