Author: Marcus Patrick

16 Mar
Multiple Myeloma: Bone Disease and Novel Agents
Marcus Patrick 3 Comments

Multiple myeloma causes severe bone destruction in over 80% of patients, leading to fractures, pain, and hospitalizations. While current treatments slow bone loss, new drugs are now being tested to actually rebuild bone and heal damage.

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13 Mar
Military Shelf Life Extension Program: What It Shows About Drug Stability
Marcus Patrick 7 Comments

The Military Shelf Life Extension Program proves many drugs remain effective years past their expiration dates when stored properly. This federal initiative has saved billions and reshaped our understanding of drug stability.

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9 Mar
NSAID Sensitivity and Asthma: What Patients Should Watch
Marcus Patrick 8 Comments

NSAID sensitivity in asthma can trigger severe reactions, especially in those with nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis. Learn which painkillers to avoid, safer alternatives, and what to do if you’ve had a reaction.

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7 Mar
How to Handle Partial Fills and Back-Orders Without Errors in Pharmacy Dispensing
Marcus Patrick 9 Comments

Learn how to safely manage partial fills and back-orders in pharmacies to prevent dispensing errors, improve patient safety, and build trust. Real-world strategies for NZ pharmacies in 2026.

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2 Mar
Ciprofloxacin and Theophylline: Why This Drug Pair Can Be Dangerous
Marcus Patrick 14 Comments

Ciprofloxacin and theophylline together can cause dangerous toxicity, leading to seizures, arrhythmias, and hospitalizations. This well-documented interaction requires dose adjustments or antibiotic changes to prevent harm.

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27 Feb
How the Gut Microbiome Changes Drug Effects and Causes Side Effects
Marcus Patrick 14 Comments

The gut microbiome can turn medications into toxins or render them useless, explaining why some people have severe side effects while others don't. New research is revealing how bacteria alter drug metabolism - and how we can personalize treatment.

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23 Feb
Restless Legs and Akathisia from Medications: How to Tell Them Apart and What to Do
Marcus Patrick 9 Comments

Akathisia and restless legs are often confused, but only one is a dangerous drug side effect. Learn how to tell them apart, why misdiagnosis can be deadly, and what treatments actually work.

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20 Feb
How to Get 90-Day Fills to Lower Prescription Costs
Marcus Patrick 15 Comments

Learn how to get 90-day prescription fills to cut your medication costs in half - no new insurance needed. Just ask your pharmacy or doctor, and start saving hundreds each year.

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16 Feb
Pharmacy Errors with Generics: Prevention and Correction Strategies
Marcus Patrick 0 Comments

Generic medications are used in 90% of U.S. prescriptions, but subtle differences in formulation, appearance, and labeling lead to preventable errors. Learn how pharmacies can prevent and correct these mistakes to protect patient safety.

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13 Feb
Adverse Event Reporting: What Pharmacists Must Know About Generic Medication Safety
Marcus Patrick 10 Comments

Pharmacists play a vital role in detecting and reporting adverse events from generic medications. Learn why their reports matter, how to report them, and how this simple action helps protect patients nationwide.

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