Prescribed medications by doctor not reccommended by manufacturer

[bisto]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

My wife got the flu and went to the doctor. She informed her doctor that she is breastfeeding. Her doctor prescribed her Tamiflu which she paid $120 for at the pharmacy.
When she returned home she checked online with the manufacturer if this medication was ok for breast feeding mothers and it clearly states it is not recommended for breast feeding mothers. My wife called the pharmacist to enquire about returning the meds and was told it was her choice to purchase the meds and she could not return them. She said she purchased them on advice from her doctor. The pharmacist told her that the drug was given to pregnant mothers and breast feeding mothers all the time and no one else complained.
What is her recourse if any - she did not take the drugs based on the manufacturers recommendations, but is $120 out of pocket. Her doctor obviously is not going to reimburse her.

 

[ecmst12]

Her doctor knows more then the drug company. If her doctor thought it was ok for her to take, then that is the advice she should go on. If she has questions, they should be directed to the DOCTOR.

 

[bisto]

You would think her doctor knew more, but the fact he is on a commission may influnece his decision when prescribing drugs. Is it not the doctors job to give her the complete facts about the meds he is prescribing and let her make an informed decision.

 

[ecmst12]

Doctors don't get commision for prescribing drugs. That would be a highly illegal conflict of interest. If she has questions about her prescription, she needs to ASK HER DOCTOR.

 

[Proserpina]

You would think her doctor knew more, but the fact he is on a commission may influnece his decision when prescribing drugs. Is it not the doctors job to give her the complete facts about the meds he is prescribing and let her make an informed decision.

Really? ...

 

[lya]

Tamiflu is being given to pregnant women due to the H1N1's increased prevalence in the category, "pregnant women". (makes me wonder what other gender of the human species is subject to being pregnant)

The time to question the safety of the medication was prior to having the prescription filled.

The patient's hindsight and a change of mind do not create a refund-liability for the doctor or the pharmacy.

 

[justalayman]

Her doctor knows more then the drug company. If her doctor thought it was ok for her to take, then that is the advice she should go on. If she has questions, they should be directed to the DOCTOR.

No, a doctor is NOT going to know more about a given medicine than the folks that spent millions of dollars researching and testing the medicine. Where do you think the doctor gets their information?

Doctors don't get commision for prescribing drugs. That would be a highly illegal conflict of interest. If she has questions about her prescription, she needs to ASK HER DOCTOR.

they may not get commissions but they do get perquisites. Lunches at a 50 person office every single week, trips, and huge amounts of samples are common perqs.

The salesmen are real big on providing pens for the office as well.

 

[lealea1005]

You would think her doctor knew more, but the fact he is on a commission may influnece his decision when prescribing drugs. Is it not the doctors job to give her the complete facts about the meds he is prescribing and let her make an informed decision.

Where the heck did you get that idea?? Physicians do NOT get monetary compensation for prescribing medications....not pens....not post it notes...not a morning coffee....nada...nothing. Honestly, it really ticks me off when people make such ridiculous statements.

ALL medications carry risks. Tamiflu has been prescribed for women who are breastfeeding. It is the Physicians decision. H/she is the one examining the patient and making the decision of whether the benefits outweigh any risk.

If your wife wanted to make an informed decision about taking the medication, she should have discussed it with her Physician at the time he was writing the prescription.

 

[lealea1005]

...Lunches at a 50 person office every single week, trips, and huge amounts of samples are common perqs.

Not since January 1, 2009. As i said above, not a post-it note, pen, or donut...nothing.

Although some companies, thankfully, still offer samples. We use them when we can for our patients that otherwise would not be able to pay for their meds.

 

[justalayman]

Not since January 1, 2009. As i said above, not a post-it note, pen, or donut...nothing.

.

I'm pretty sure it is still happening here. I'll have to check to be positive though.

 

[Adalaide78]

Even Tylenol, the only pain reliever my doctor would recommend during pregnancy and breastfeeding says on it not to take it without consulting a doctor first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. During that time in my life I always asked my doctor when he recommended a prescription or even OTC medication if it was safe for my baby and if there were other alternitives. Even Tamiflu doesn't say that you shouldn't take it if you are nursing but that you should talk to your doctor before taking it. Obviously she did if it was a prescription.

 

[ariastar]

Drug companies cover their butts by saying breastfeeding and pregnant women shouldn't take their drugs. Miscarriages and things going wrong with babies is common enough that they'd be stupid to not have some sort of disclaimer. Imagine what would happen if a woman lost a pregnancy at 30 weeks, but was taking Tylenol, and the company didn't have a disclaimer. Oh no, she'll probably sue.

The FDA classifies Tamiflu as a Class C drug, meaning it *might* harm a baby, but so might a lot of things.

It's correct that many many MANY women take Tamiflu while pregnancy or nursing without any problem.

 

[justalayman]

Ok, here is the simple solution:

mom takes the tamiflu. All she has to do is stop breastfeeding while taking the tamiflu.



It is not mom that is the problem but since tamiflu is excreted via the mamm's of rats (not known if it is excreted via the mamm's of humans), the child may also be taking tamiflu.


and actually, the information from the manufacturer says (paraphrased):

Tamilfu should only be taken by nursing mothers if the potential benefits for the nursing mother outweighs the potential risks for the child.
http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/tamiflu/pdf/pi.pdf


so. quit nursing during treatment with Tamiflu.


why does it take a guy to figure this out?

ariastar: you do not believe the drug companies are correct in including disclaimers when they do not know if there are risks involved? Considering the US is known to be the most litigious society in the world, I find their warnings absolutely proper.

 

[Isis1]

Ok, here is the simple solution:

mom takes the tamiflu. All she has to do is stop breastfeeding while taking the tamiflu.



It is not mom that is the problem but since tamiflu is excreted via the mamm's of rats (not known if it is excreted via the mamm's of humans), the child may also be taking tamiflu.


and actually, the information from the manufacturer says (paraphrased):

Tamilfu should only be taken by nursing mothers if the potential benefits for the nursing mother outweighs the potential risks for the child.
http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/tamiflu/pdf/pi.pdf


so. quit nursing during treatment with Tamiflu.


why does it take a guy to figure this out?

i have my own theory.....but ewww!

 

[Proserpina]

Considering the US is known to be the most litigious society in the world, I find their warnings absolutely proper.

Which is actually a tragic and horrible (and accurate) reflection on the country.