Clipping Board » Medical Harm ─ Unnecessary or inappropriate medical procedures can also cause harm.
United Evening News / Reporter Li Shuren / Taipei Report
October 31, 2011
Former Health Minister Yang Zhiliang recently published a book criticizing domestic "blood and sweat hospitals." Meanwhile, a pharmacist with over a decade of experience working in medical centers, clinics, and pharmacies, Drugs, has also released a book exposing how unscrupulous clinics exploit loopholes in the "three-day simplified billing system" by substituting original branded medications with repackaged drugs to maximize profits.
Pharmacist Drugs pointed out that for common cold medications used in ENT or pediatric clinics, the National Health Insurance (NHI) typically covers original bottled liquid formulations. However, some clinics purchase bulk liquid medications from unknown manufacturers and repackage them into smaller bottles for patients. From appearance alone, patients cannot determine whether these repackaged drugs come from reputable or qualified pharmaceutical companies, nor can they assess the stability of the medications after opening.
Having practiced for many years in a pharmacy passed down by his father, Drugs also noted that the public's lack of medical and health education allows unscrupulous clinics to exploit the system for profit. Many people seek quick relief at the first sign of discomfort, preferring to "take medicine fast and recover immediately."
In reality, some doctors prescribe strong medications without hesitation to ensure patients feel "effective" treatment, thereby increasing return visits. This inadvertently burdens patients' liver and kidneys, contributing to Taiwan's world-leading dialysis rates—largely due to excessive and unnecessary medication use.
Additionally, based on his years of observation, Drugs expressed concern that whenever the NHI adjusts drug reimbursement prices, some hospitals and clinics switch to cheaper, higher-profit drugs, with grassroots clinics showing particularly high substitution rates.
Drugs explained that medical institutions sometimes replace original branded drugs with generics, but patients often question the efficacy of generics. For example, patients with chronic conditions like hypertension or hyperlipidemia require long-term medication for control. While original drugs offer reliable preventive effects, switching to generics—even if patients can't immediately tell the difference—may raise concerns among doctors about increased relapse risks.
Regarding the ongoing heated debate over drug price cuts, Drugs advised that beyond monitoring potential changes in medication choices due to reimbursement adjustments, the public should stay vigilant and always be aware of the quality and necessity of the drugs they consume.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA2/ 6686989. shtml
Dialysis Rate Tops Globally: Pharmacist Exposes Drug Repackaging Scandal
October 31, 2011
Former Health Minister Yang Zhiliang recently published a book criticizing domestic "blood and sweat hospitals." Meanwhile, a pharmacist with over a decade of experience working in medical centers, clinics, and pharmacies, Drugs, has also released a book exposing how unscrupulous clinics exploit loopholes in the "three-day simplified billing system" by substituting original branded medications with repackaged drugs to maximize profits.
Pharmacist Drugs pointed out that for common cold medications used in ENT or pediatric clinics, the National Health Insurance (NHI) typically covers original bottled liquid formulations. However, some clinics purchase bulk liquid medications from unknown manufacturers and repackage them into smaller bottles for patients. From appearance alone, patients cannot determine whether these repackaged drugs come from reputable or qualified pharmaceutical companies, nor can they assess the stability of the medications after opening.
Having practiced for many years in a pharmacy passed down by his father, Drugs also noted that the public's lack of medical and health education allows unscrupulous clinics to exploit the system for profit. Many people seek quick relief at the first sign of discomfort, preferring to "take medicine fast and recover immediately."
In reality, some doctors prescribe strong medications without hesitation to ensure patients feel "effective" treatment, thereby increasing return visits. This inadvertently burdens patients' liver and kidneys, contributing to Taiwan's world-leading dialysis rates—largely due to excessive and unnecessary medication use.
Additionally, based on his years of observation, Drugs expressed concern that whenever the NHI adjusts drug reimbursement prices, some hospitals and clinics switch to cheaper, higher-profit drugs, with grassroots clinics showing particularly high substitution rates.
Drugs explained that medical institutions sometimes replace original branded drugs with generics, but patients often question the efficacy of generics. For example, patients with chronic conditions like hypertension or hyperlipidemia require long-term medication for control. While original drugs offer reliable preventive effects, switching to generics—even if patients can't immediately tell the difference—may raise concerns among doctors about increased relapse risks.
Regarding the ongoing heated debate over drug price cuts, Drugs advised that beyond monitoring potential changes in medication choices due to reimbursement adjustments, the public should stay vigilant and always be aware of the quality and necessity of the drugs they consume.
Source: http://udn. com/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA2/ 6686989. shtml