November 9, 2004 in Features

AARP study shows generic drugs are still a good buy

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Does it seem like your generic drugs are getting more expensive? You’re not imagining things.

A new AARP study found that manufacturers’ prices for some generic drugs rose rapidly – four times faster than inflation – during the past three years.

The study, from AARP’s Public Policy Institute, examined changes in manufacturers’ list prices for 75 generic drugs commonly used by older Americans. Thirty-four of the drugs showed no change in list price during the period. Five decreased in price. Thirty-six of the drugs increased in price.

List prices to wholesalers aren’t always passed on to the general public.

“Even if the increases were passed on to consumers, generic drugs are still a good buy,” said report coauthor David Gross in a press release.

Public forum

Gonzaga University will host a forum titled “Healthcare Policy Leadership: Finding Common Ground,” with state Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, and state Rep. Eileen Cody, D-Olympia, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall at GU.

The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made calling Angela Ruff at 323-3572.

Brown will lead a panel discussion featuring Cody, Dan Baumgarten of Spokane’s Health Improvement Partnership and a representative from the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce. The program is intended to help set a health-care policy agenda for the Spokane region.

FDA warning

Two dietary supplements containing the active ingredient in Viagra were the targets of a U.S. Food and Drug Administration warning to consumers last week. The FDA warned consumers not to purchase Actra-Rx or Yilishen, both promoted on the Internet as supplements for enhancing sexual performance in men.

Sleeping well?

Sleep disorders will be the topic for KSPS Public Television’s upcoming call-in show “Health Matters,” which will air Nov. 16 at 8 p.m.

A panel of experts will answer viewers’ questions about sleep. Call in during the show. Or send questions in advance to Michelle_whiteley@ksps.pbs.org.

She’s a winner

Donna Hanson, director of Catholic Charities in Spokane for 25 years, has received the 2004 Sister Peter Claver Award. The award, presented by Sacred Heart Medical Center, is named for the late longtime president of the hospital.

One nominator wrote of Hanson, “As she oversees the work of shelters and other programs for the homeless, she is never satisfied, but rather, always seeking further improvements.”

Also honored at the award dinner Oct. 28 at the Red Lion Grand Hotel were other nominees: Bill Bouten, president of Bouten Construction Company; Mary Butler, community volunteer and board member of several local humanitarian organizations; Dr. Jeffrey Clode, medical director for St. Joseph Care Center; Joy DeFelice, director of natural family planning at Sacred Heart; Marcy Kelly, nurse and technologist in Radiation Oncology at Sacred Heart; Mary Ann Murphy, director of Children and Family Partners; Cynthia Norwood, CEO of the Physician Hospital Community Organization; Molly Shine, a charge nurse at Sacred Heart who frequently offers her nursing skills to medical mission teams in Guatemala; and Jay Staebell, administrative assistant at Sacred Heart.

INHS honored

Inland Northwest Health Services, a non-profit organization that coordinates collaboration among the region’s hospitals, has been awarded the Warren Featherstone Reid Award for improving access to cost-effective and quality health-care services. The award was presented to INHS last month by Washington state Secretary of Health Mary Selecky on behalf of Gov. Gary Locke.

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