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By Ruth Lim, Student Pharmacist with Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist
On behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The Swedish pop group ABBA was formed in 1972 in Stockholm and the name was a palindrome of the founding band members’ first names. The group won a music contest in 1974 with their song Waterloo. 

On November 1, 1976, the group released the song Money, Money, Money. The song reached number 1 in many European countries, but only hit 56 in the United States. ABBA is still one the best-selling music acts of all time with hits between 1974 to 1982 and most recently in 2022. 

ABBA’s music became popular again with the release of Mamma Mia! the Broadway musical and the movie. Money, Money, Money was part of the score for the theater. Anni-Frid Lyngstad sang the vocals for ABBA on the album while Meryl Streep sang it in the 2008 film Mamma Mia!

Money can often be an important issue when evaluating drug therapies. Prescription pricing can vary from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. How does one find if a patient assistance program is available?

In 2021, a Gallup poll found an estimated 18 million Americans went without a prescribed medication because they could not afford it. Ten percent said they skipped taking medications to save money. Americans not taking their medications causes an estimated 25% of hospitalizations and causes death in 125,000 people a year. 

One way that people can save money on their drugs is through patient assistance programs (PAP). They can be run by drug manufacturers, charities or government agencies. Some of them cover the full cost, while others only pay part. 

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By Claire Witschger, PharmD, RPh
Pharmacy Resident, Blanchard Valley Health System

With the summer months in full swing, school is out and vacations have started to take place. As we enjoy the warmer weather, it is important to remember the importance of sun safety. While the sun and ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be beneficial for vitamin D synthesis and can increase mood, it is also responsible for numerous damaging effects on the human skin. Some of the effects of unprotected sun exposure include sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer. With these risks, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen and sun safety practices to reduce the harmful effects of UV exposure.

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By Dylan McWilliams, Student Pharmacist
With Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

The idiom known as “the same, but different” is a saying commonly used in Southeast Asian countries and especially in Thai culture. The meaning indicates there is a fundamental difference, but with the slightest similarity.

Generic drug medications are actually the opposite of this idiom, being fundamentally similar with some slight differences. These differences could be in the inactive ingredients or the color or shape of the pills, which do not alter the therapeutic effect of the drug. Generic drugs are considered small molecule entities, but new biosimilar drugs entering the market are very large molecules in comparison. 

The United States is full of competition and this is something that does not stop with drug manufacturers. When the first large molecule drugs were approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), drug companies wanted to duplicate this process similar to a generic drug.

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By Marla Stone, RD, LD, Oncology Dietitian
The Armes Family Cancer Care Center

The National Cancer Institute defines cancer as, “…a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body.” According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Nutrition plays a role in cell growth and can help reduce your risk of developing cancer by providing an adequate amount of nutrients needed to support healthy cell growth. Cancer is a disease that is multi-factorial including, but not limited to lifestyle, environment, age and genetics. While we cannot control all of these factors, we can control some of them, which will help decrease the risk of developing cancer.

In order to fuel the body appropriately and provide adequate nutrients all day long, it is best practice to aim for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This is not to say you cannot consume breakfast, lunch and dinner but, rather, that you control your portions with these three meals and incorporate balanced snacks between them. There are also many different types of oral nutrition supplements available that have a variety of nutrients along with the convenience of grab-and-go. While it is recommended to get all of our nutrients from the foods we eat, sometimes nutritional supplements are necessary. Each individual is different, so it is best to discuss the varying options of nutritional supplements and food/snack recommendations with a registered dietitian to find what will best meet the individual needs of your body. 

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By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1974, The Longest Yard was released starring Burt Reynolds, Eddie Albert, Ed Lauter, and Mike Conrad. The plot involves a former NFL football player who is arrested and sent to prison. Ultimately, a game is played with the prisoners against the prison guards. The prisoners win the game. While celebrating, Reynolds’s character appears to be walking off the field as though he might escape. The warden (Albert) is shouting for the guards to shoot him. Reynolds was retrieving the game ball and not escaping. 

The picture was filmed at the Georgia State Prison in cooperation with the Office of the Governor. The Georgia governor was Jimmy Carter. The film won a Golden Globe for the Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy). 

Burt Reynolds had some serious injuries from Florida State University football and a car accident. He took time off from football and took junior college courses where he was discovered and started acting. He attempted to go back to football at Florida State, but his injuries deterred him from continuing. 

Overcoming adversity can be a struggle whether that be prison, injuries or long COVID. Over the last few months more information has been published on long COVID. 

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By Ailing Chen, MD
Pediatrics, Caughman Health Center

Drowning is a serious and preventable cause of death in children during the summer. As a parent, caregiver or healthcare provider, it is important to take steps to prevent drowning – which include the following: 

Supervision
Children should never be left alone near water. Always supervise them when they are in or around water, even if they know how to swim. This includes swimming pools, lakes and oceans.

Always designate a responsible adult to supervise children when they are in or around water. Also, avoid distractions such as phone calls, text messages or reading while supervising children in or around water.

Learn CPR
Parents, caregivers and healthcare providers should learn CPR in case of an emergency. Knowing CPR can help save a child’s life in the event of a drowning or other water-related accident.

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