Tag Archive for: Pharmacy

Safe Disposal of Medications: De-clutter for the New Year

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As we settle into the New Year, it’s the perfect time to clean out not only our closets but also our medicine cabinets. Decluttering your medications is a great way to start fresh, ensuring your home is safer and more organized. Here’s why and how you can safely dispose of old medications and sharps.  

Why Safe Disposal Matters 

Sharps and medications that are expired or no longer needed can pose serious risks:  

  • Health Risks: Taking expired or unused medications can be dangerous, as they may not work effectively or could lead to harmful side effects.  
  • Accidental Exposure: Children, pets, or even adults can accidentally puncture themselves with needles or consume medications, leading to poisoning or other health emergencies.  
  • Environmental Concerns: Flushing medications down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can harm water supply and the environment.  

How to Safely Dispose of Medications  

Here are some simple and responsible ways to dispose of old medications:  

  1. Contact Your Pharmacy or Medical Office: Many large pharmacies have installed safe medication disposal kiosks in their store. Here you can check if there is a location available in your area. Please note that NOAH Health Centers do not currently provide medication disposal kiosks.
  2. Sharps Disposal: Proper disposal of needles and other sharps is essential for safety. Here you can enter your zip code to find the closest disposal site near you.
  3. City of Phoenix Police Department Drop Boxes: The following locations have medication disposal drop boxes for pills, patches, ointments, vitamins, samples, pet medications, and prescription drugs. 

Please note that needles, sharps, aerosols, inhalers, medical waste, lotions, liquid medicines, and thermometers are not permitted for drop off at these locations.

4. Dispose at Home (If No Other Option):  

Medications

  • Mix the medication with an unappealing substance like coffee grounds or kitty litter.  
  • Place the mixture in a sealed plastic bag and throw it in your household trash.  
  • Remove any personal information from prescription bottles before recycling them. 

Sharps

  • Find a puncture resistant container like an empty detergent bottle, peanut butter jar, or jumbo pretzel container – something you can throw away.
  • Place needles and syringes point-side down into the container leaving at least two inches of space from the top.
  • Use duct tape to tightly seal the container and to clearly label with “non-recyclable medical waste”.
  • Dispose of entire container in the TRASH – do not recycle.

Tips for Decluttering Your Medicine Cabinet  

  • Check Expiration Dates: Go through all your medications and toss anything that’s expired.  
  • Organize by Use: Arrange medications by type (e.g., daily use, first aid, occasional). 
  • Store Safely: Keep medications in a cool, dry place, away from children and pets.  

By safely disposing of old medications and organizing what you need, you’ll reduce clutter and create a healthier environment for yourself and your family.  

If you have questions about safely disposing of medications or need help deciding what to keep or discard, visit NOAH’s Pharmacy at Cholla Health Center or call 480-903-3560. Our pharmacists are ready to provide expert guidance and resources to support your health.

How Generic Medications Compare to Brand Names

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When it comes to managing your health, understanding your medication options can save you time, stress, and money. Generic medications are often a cost-effective alternative to brand-name drugs, but many patients wonder if they work as well or are as safe. The answer is yes! Here’s what you need to know about how generic medications compare to brand-name options and why they might be the right choice for you. 

What Makes Generic Medications Equivalent? 

Generic medications must meet strict FDA standards to be approved for use. They are designed to work in the same way and provide the same benefits as their brand-name equivalents. This means that they:  

  • Contain the same active ingredients.  
  • Are taken in the same form (e.g., tablet, capsule, liquid).  
  • Have the same strength, dosage, and safety profile.  
  • Perform the same way in the body.  

While the active ingredients are identical, some differences may exist in the inactive ingredients. These are substances like colors and flavorings that do not affect how the medication works but may account for variations in color or taste. Furthermore, trademark laws in the United States do not allow a generic drug to look exactly like other drugs already on the market, hence why the shape and overall appearance of the medicine might differ from its brand-name counterpart. 

Are Generics as Safe and Effective?

Yes! Generic medications are held to the same standards as brand-name drugs. Generic drugs are approved only after testing and review by the FDA to verify their safety, quality, and effectiveness. Many healthcare providers and pharmacists recommend generics as a reliable and affordable option for treating various conditions.  

Why Are Generic Medications Cheaper?  

One of the main differences between brand-name and generic drugs is the cost. Brand-name medications are typically more expensive because the original manufacturer invests heavily in research, development, and marketing. Once the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce generics, eliminating the need for these added expenses. This competition among manufacturers drives down the cost of generics by 80 to 85%, making them more affordable for patients.  

Who Benefits From Generics?

Generic medications can help almost everyone, but they’re especially helpful for certain groups. People with chronic conditions often need medications for a long time, and generics can make these treatments much more affordable. If you don’t have insurance or have limited coverage, generic options are a budget-friendly way to get the care you need. 

Families with several prescriptions also benefit because generics help keep costs manageable, making it easier to afford medications for everyone in the household.

At NOAH’s full-service pharmacy, we make it easy for you to get what you need at a reasonable price. Our pharmacy team can work with you and your healthcare provider to determine if a generic alternative is available and appropriate for your treatment. To speak with a member of our pharmacy team, stop by Cholla Health Center or call 480-903-3560. For your convenience, most medications are available for next day delivery to any NOAH Health Center location. 

Medication Shape, Size, and Color – What Does it Mean?

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Medication Shape, Size, and Color – What Does it Mean?

When you pick up your medication from NOAH’s Pharmacy or elsewhere, you might notice that it comes in different shapes, sizes, or colors. Have you ever wondered why? These differences aren’t just for looks—they can actually play an important role in how your medication works or how easy it is for you to take. Let’s break it down:

Shape

The shape of a pill or tablet can affect how quickly it dissolves in your body. Some medications are round, oval, or even oblong. These shapes can be designed to help the pill break down faster or slower, depending on how the medicine needs to be absorbed. For example, a smaller, round pill might dissolve quicker than a larger, oblong one.

Size

The size of your medication matters too. Larger pills often contain more of the active ingredient, meaning they deliver a higher dose. However, bigger pills can sometimes be harder to swallow, so they may be designed to be taken with water or split in half if your doctor advises it.

Color

Color can be one of the easiest ways to identify your medication. Different colors help patients recognize their medications more easily and avoid mistakes. For example, you might take a blue pill in the morning and a white pill at night. This makes it less likely to mix them up. Sometimes, color is used to represent different strengths of the same medication.

Why Should You Care?

The shape, size, and color of your medication can impact how you take it and how well it works. Understanding these details can help you stay on top of your medication routine. If your pill ever looks different from what you’re used to, sometimes the answer is as simple as a different manufacturer, but it’s always a good idea to ask your pharmacist if anything has changed.

Learn more about NOAH’s Pharmacy services or request an appointment online. Remember, your NOAH healthcare team is here to help, if you have questions, feel free to reach out to your provider via MyChart or by calling 480-882-4545.

Prescription Pick-up Now Available at All Locations

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NOAH’s Cholla Pharmacy now offers next day courier services to all NOAH Health Center locations.

To make sure you get your medications accurately and on time, here’s what you need to do:

For New Medications:

  • Let your provider or medical assistant know that you want NOAH’s Cholla Pharmacy to be your preferred pharmacy.
  • If you choose Cholla Health Center for pick-up:
    • Your medication will likely be ready for pick-up right away. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch.
  • If you choose any other NOAH location for pick-up:
    • Your provider or medical assistant will request your medications be couriered to your selected NOAH location. Prescriptions ordered before 3 p.m. will be available for pick-up the following day. Medication can be picked up anytime during regular clinic operating hours (hours vary by location).
  • Please note that some medications may be out of stock or require a special order. NOAH’s Pharmacy will let you know if your medication will not be ready within the typical time frame.
  • Courier service is also not available for controlled substances.
  • If you want to check the status of your order, you can call the pharmacy at 480-903-3560.

For Existing Prescriptions:

If you already have prescriptions filled elsewhere, you can easily transfer them to NOAH’s Pharmacy by calling your provider. NOAH providers can be reached via MyChart or by calling 480-882-4545.

NOAH’s full-service pharmacy located at NOAH’s Cholla Health Center is open to anyone including NOAH patients and community members. For more information, you can reach our pharmacy at 480-903-3560.