The HCG Diet

HCG, is it truly a miracle diet drug?  With so many clinics offering therapy, and so many websites offering drops, I would like to offer a little truth on the matter....

I cannot deny the results that people have with HCG.  They seriously lose about a pound a day!  That is pretty amazing, but they pay for it, with their wallets.  Clinic visits can cost around a hundred dollars a pop, with a forty day course of injections plus needles costing roughly the same.  Drops on the internet are less expensive, but what do you know about homeopathic medicine?  Let's just say it is very interesting.  So take a look at these links and decide for yourselves. 

PowerPoint Presentation  Handout

This was one of my research projects, so the terminology may be confusing, and some information may seem lacking, but it was accompanied with a live presentation.  If you get confused, just post your questions and I'll get back with you.

Bottom line.... People lose weight with the diet, but they only eat 500 kcal a day.  Anyone will lose weight if  they do that, HCG or no HCG!

What do you think?  Would you recommend HCG or take it?

Medical Missions

I once asked a pharmacist that goes on medical missions if there was a job for her when she goes.  She said,

                     "Yeah, the most important job..... handling the meds." 

Now, I am so confused by that.  Countries that need medical missions don't have boards of pharmacy, and  they don't care which team member handles the meds, they just appreciate receiving the help. The one mission trip that I had the pleasure of being a part of had a medical branch and a church branch doing Bible School and giving supplies.  I don't remember a pharmacist on the medical branch (I was in school and was with the church), and I know they handed out meds. 

What I was asking her was, do they use her medical knowledge, or at least her drug knowledge.  I'm sure they would refer to her to see which Sulfonylurea was in stock or which ACE-inhibitor they had, but I wanted to know if we could be of use - medically (as I know God can use anyone for any purpose).  With Hurricane Irene hitting the Northeast, and Tropical Storm Jose brewing, I would like to think that pharmacists can do something other than supply system management, not that I think we are better than Doctors, but I think we are a valuable asset.  Our training and the overall desire of pharmacists to make a difference drive me to ask these questions. 

Can our profession develop into a pharmacist practitioner of sorts?  I know that some states allow pharmacists to prescribe certain medications, and most states allow collaborations between doctors an pharmacists to have standing orders (e.g. flu shots), but how far can we go?  I am trying to pose these questions in a positive light rather than in a whiny "woe is me" tone.  I have to admit that when I started pharmacy school, I just wanted to help my family and those close to me with the fruits that this profession bears.  Not that I didn't think of the little white haired ladies or the weather talking old men that we interact with so often, but my family was my primary concern.  Now I feel like I have a calling to do more.

Should I go to Seminary?  Should I go to medical school?  Should I stay where I am and see what kind of positive things God can do with a profession that has already given me such grief?  I'm not sure yet, but I will be praying and taking steps find out.

Hospital pharmacy

Is hospital pharmacy any better? I recently interviewed for a hospital pharmacy job and it seemed as though there are similar issues that the pharmacists have with their jobs. Now I know all shift work will have it's ups and downs, but will hospital pharmacy be any better than than community? I guess I'll find out---- hopefully. Let me know if you have any stories or experiences that will help me with my decision to change my career path.

Merry Christmas!

The truth

You know. No matter how angry I get, no matter how cynical I can be.... There is nothing compared to the Good Lord in the world. No matter how we perceive him, and now matter how He chooses to reveal Himsel, there is just nothing like him in this world. Put that in your record books. know what I'm saying?

Update on Techs

I was looking around the "blogosphere" and noticed a really good blog about requirements to be a technician in California.  Read it here on the Angry Pharmacist's site.

First things first... Seek wise counsel

  Has anyone out there had any success with MTM or any other clinical practice?  Are there any tips or tricks to get started?  There is one good article that outlines the process to get started.  The main question is, how do you get paid?  From what I can tell, I need to get my NPI number, so that I can start billing. Then I need to contract with the insurance providers in my area to become a provider for their patients.  From what I can tell, though, these companies don't have very many eligible patients to keep a practice going. 

  Does this mean that I need to get hooked up with a nursing home?  Do I need to complete a residency, or do I need to get some certification? Like CDE or Geriatrics certification?  I don't know. I'm thinking out loud I guess.  I think there are some pay for service opportunities out there, and possibly an immunization niche, but can we make this happen in a way that will sustain our livelihood?  I guess we will find out.  Is anyone else interested?  If so I will keep you informed.  Please give me suggestions as I go along, and ask questions if you think of anything.