MY TURN: Help combat Idaho opioid crisis

Start by cleaning out your medicine cabinet

OPINION: Partisan rancor takes a brief vacation

Here’s something that you don’t normally see in Washington — the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Finance Committee standing side-by-side at a news conference, talking about a bill aimed to help pharmacists and patients.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — New approach to the prevalence of back pain

If you are like most people, you have friends or family members that suffer with some form of back pain. The World Health Organization reports that low back pain is the number one cause of disability around the globe. Approximately one in five Americans suffer with some type of chronic pain according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. We are beginning to see that back pain is a very common medical condition, with 80% of adults experiencing it during their lifetime and back pain is the third most common reason for doctor visits. With such an increase in the number of adults having back pain, what is this costing the average family in medical expenses, lost wages, and much more. The most recent estimate is that $86 billion is spent annually on back pain alone in the U.S. and it is costing employers 186.7 million days of work lost per year that results in lost productivity, increased insurance and worker's compensation costs. The most common reason reported for missed work is back pain and the direct cost for missed days is estimated to be around $20 billion.

PHARMACIES: PBMs are killing independent owners

As a local pharmacist, it was refreshing for me to see an article in The Press about the challenges facing pharmacies today. Low insurance reimbursement does not affect only rural pharmacies, however, but is leading to the demise of all independently owned pharmacies. Contrary to what Greg Lopes would want you to believe, PBMs are definitely and primarily responsible for the closure of many pharmacies. Not only, as the article pointed out, are 25% of claims paid below cost, but many more pay mere pennies above the cost of the drug. After adding the direct cost of the vial, lid and label, easily 50% of claims are paid at or below cost.

Barbara J. Miller, 85

Barbara J. Miller, 85, of Athol, died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2024.

'That's how deadly it is'

Prosecutor outlines challenges of fighting fentanyl as state passes tougher laws

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s far more powerful than morphine.The pills can resemble prescription narcotics like Oxycontin, but are counterfeit and often lethal.

Washington state reaches a nearly $150 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over opioid crisis

Since the 2000s, drugmakers, wholesalers, pharmacy chains and consultants have agreed to pay more than $50 billion to state and local governments to settle claims that they played a part in creating the opioid crisis

EDITORIAL: Four legislators owe voters an explanation

Kootenai County Republican foursome side with

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Dangers of heartburn and reflux

With more than 15 million Americans on prescriptions for heartburn and reflux, and many more on over-the-counter (OTC) medications, we can say we have a real problem here!

PHD hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, in 2021 the north Idaho region had two of the highest prescribing rates in the state.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — A commitment to patient-centered care

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is revolutionizing the health care landscape, offering a refreshing departure from the traditional fee-for-service model. In essence, DPC fosters a direct relationship between patients and their primary care physicians, unencumbered by insurance intermediaries. This approach prioritizes patient outcomes, access to care, and affordability in profound ways. You may have heard this be termed “membership medicine” or “concierge medicine.”

OPINION: Labrador bets heavily on abortion in his gamble to win higher office

During his first year as Idaho Attorney General, Raul Labrador has placed most of his chips on the abortion issue in his quest for higher office. He has been aided and abetted, free of charge, by Alliance Defending Freedom, a powerful extreme-right legal organization in the nation’s capital that is intent on stamping out any perceived form of abortion across the entire country. ADF played a major role in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Winner, winner, turkey dinner

PF Food Bank distributing holiday birds to families in need through Wednesday

The Post Falls Food Bank has been so busy it ran out of turkeys last week. “It’s not good, but it is the reality. Post Falls in particular is growing so much and every month we’re setting records," Executive Director Leslie Orth said Friday. "We've never had this many visits."

Ida Jean Parks, 88

Ida Jean Parks (Carpenter), 88, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024, with her family by her side.

Excelling at selling, on a serious tip

Years ago, a salesperson friend told me a story about his daughter. She insisted on buying her favorite gumdrops from a particular candy store owned by Nick, even though a more convenient candy store had recently opened in a shopping mall.

ADVERTISING: Advertorial — How will poor posture affect your life?

Chronic neck pain is a common condition that effects middle-aged to elderly patients and their quality of life. The cause of neck pain can be complex and related to a multitude of things like disc or facet joint degeneration, disc bulges or muscle injuries. Poor posture, poor lifestyle choices, auto accidents or even the use of handheld devices can cause cervical instability leading to a decrease or loss of cervical curve often referred to as cervical lordosis.

How to overcome fear

A city mouse went on a visit to his cousin in the countryside. The cousin welcomed him with a modest meal of beans. The city mouse turned up his nose and said, "I cannot understand how you can live with such poor food. Come to the city, and I'll show you what a real feast is like."

PRESCRIPTIONS: Lower costs are better

There is a bill working its way through the U.S. Congress called the SMART Prices Act (S.1246). This legislation would boost Medicare prescription drug price negotiation by enhancing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ ability to negotiate lower prices on brand-name drugs. The effect would be — LOWER costs for drugs for Medicare recipients!

DRUGS: Time to nationalize them

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” — Ben Franklin

OPINION: A tale of two conventions

The Idaho Democrats and the Idaho Republicans recently held their party’s conventions one week apart. The results of each speak volumes about the choices voters have this November.