Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss the current status of COIVD-19 pandemic with Jim Adams, Health Commissioner for Canton City Public Health.

When the covid-19 pandemic hit the United States in early 2020, it felt scary – but also temporary. All these months later, we are feeling stressed, frustrated and perhaps angry that it isn’t over. On top of that, it is difficult to feel like we are getting clear, consistent information to make the best decisions about our health. This morning we are fortunate to share this time and space with Jim Adams to share the facts and current recommended guidance regarding Covid-19. We also want to thank Jim and the staff of the Canton City Public Health for their tireless efforts on behalf of the health and safety of our entire community.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Castro, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsors Studio Arts & Glass, Jenior Appraisals and LIquidations, and of course our technical producer, Willam Beebe. As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.

Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss how COVID-19 has changed health care for the better, with Dr. Brady Steineck, CEO Community Health Care.

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Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsors Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, Studio Arts & Glass. As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.

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Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White are joined by Ahmed Sabe, M.D., executive director of Cardiovascular Services at Mercy Medical Center, and Daniel Harvey, physician assistant for Mercy Cardiovascular Institute (MCI), discuss COVID-19 concerns and recommendations for those with cardiovascular disease during the Health Matters radio program on News-Talk 1480 WHBC. They will also discuss MCI’s new 24/7 line, ensuring patients have access to a medical professional to have their questions and concerns addressed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsors Mercy Medical Center, Studio Arts & Glass. As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.

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Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss are joined by Health Commissioner, Jim Adams, will be discussing COVID-19 Vaccines - Fact vs. Myth. You can catch the show on News-Talk 1480 WHBC or streaming live on Facebook each Friday at 9am EST. #cantonhealth #talkinghealth #COVID19Vaccine #medicinecenterpharmacy #healthmatters #ohio

There aren’t many topics more widely or hotly debated than receiving a Covid19 vaccination. A poll released last week showed that only 47% of Americans plan to get the vaccine. Those who didn’t want it mostly said they were concerned about side effects and the development and approval process, though the poll didn’t ask about many widely circulating myths. This morning we are fortunate to share this time and space with Jim Adams to set the record straight and talk about the facts and the myths surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine. We also want to thank Jim and the staff of the Canton City Public Health for vaccinating the staff of our Canton pharmacy. The process was efficient, professional and greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Podcast Audio:

Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsors Mercy Medical Center, Studio Arts & Glass . As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.

Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss COVID-19 impact on long term care facilities with Nan Gammill, Executive Director of The Inn at Belden Village.

You can find all our Health Matters Podcasts here:  iTunes   Google Play  Stitcher

Refill your prescriptions at medshoprx.com

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a popular anti-malaria drug is also used as a primary treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, we have been getting calls from patients that are concerned about maintaining drug therapy due to the nationwide shortage of hydroxychloroquine. Disease flare ups are a common concern with patients of any condition when vital medication is on the FDA shortage list or in limited supply.

What is the Medicine Center Pharmacy’s Role in Hydroxychloroquine Supply Chain?

We received a shipment of bulk powder of the active ingredient hydroxychloroquine. If a patient is having difficulty maintaining their current therapy we can consult with their provider to obtain a prescription to compound capsules or a liquid formulation if necessary. 

Compounding pharmacies use bulk chemical ingredients to formulate patient specific medications. Alternatively, hydroxychloroquine tablet are mass manufactured by large drug companies. You can have confidence in the Medicine Center Pharmacy process as we are a PCAB Accredited Non-Sterile Compounding Facility.

There are treatment options to consider outside of hydroxychloroquine.  Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has the potential to be a therapeutic alternative as it has been documented to be effective in many autoimmune conditions. 

Medicine Center Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans. Often insurance companies exclude compounded medications from coverage which has been a very frustrating for patients that depend on insurance for care. In many cases, the cost for a compounded medication is very affordable and often is comparable to insurance copays.

Low-Dose Naltrexone

Patients with autoimmune conditions are finding relief with Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN). The Medicine Center Pharmacy is part of national network of pharmacists that is dedicated to educating patients and providers about alternative treatment therapies and specializes in using LDN for autoimmune and pain conditions.

We have additional resources for Low Dose Naltrexone Education:

written by Jordan Hughes, PharmD Candidate Ohio Northern University

Coronaviruses are one of the largest groups of viruses that we know about in medicine, and it has an extensive range of natural hosts. Recently, newly evolved Coronaviruses have posed a massive threat to public health causing a worldwide pandemic.  The novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 sparks an inflammatory immune response that is essential to control and eliminate the infection, however, certain immune responses can cause a decrease of gas exchange in the lungs. This causes a huge problem because oxygenation of the blood is essential for human life and is the basis for maintaining function of all major organs. So, will low dose naltrexone target certain immunological markers to ensure that the body does not injure itself during the fight against coronavirus?

Naltrexone is a pure opioid antagonist with activity and many opioid and non-opioid receptors. It is currently used for alcohol use disorders, opioid addictions and obesity. Naltrexone can be used for several different disorders depending on the dosage that is used, and the effects might differ when the doses are changed. Higher doses of naltrexone can be used for impulse control disorders and several other addictions. However, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), has been studied and shown promise in the treatment of many diseases such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Dr. Bernard Bihari, known to some as the father of Low Dose Naltrexone, completed research that showed LDN was used to boost endorphin levels in patients by 3X. These endorphins levels can improve immune function and might be used to help at-risk patients to fight off the Novel Coronavirus infection.

To understand how medications attack and destroy the virus, we need to understand how the virus gets inside the body, how it infects the host, and how it is transmitted to others. Like many other infectious diseases, Coronavirus enters the body through direct contact with direct mucous membranes such as eyes, mouth, or nose. When the virus gets into the body, it will use the body’s own cells to replicate and spread. When the body recognizes the foreign virus, it will send in many natural defenses. These natural defenses will cause a fever, cough, inflammation, possible mucous production, and other symptoms. The virus can then spread from an infected person to others through droplets from a cough, sneeze, or contact with another person. That is why it is essential to follow social distancing guidelines, wash your hands regularly, disinfect areas high touch areas, stay home if you are sick, and wear a mask when you need to go out in public.

The next issue that we need to tackle is clarifying the process of the virus replication and the triggering of the important immune responses. To understand this process, we need look at the shape of the coronavirus.

The coronavirus uses its membrane to protect itself from attack. The spike coming from the outside of the membrane is used to connect to the body’s cells and insert replicating data into the cells to continue to make more of the virus.

The body will recognize the infection and send a variety of immune responses to attack the invader. The body has several natural defenses that are activated by Coronavirus. Some of the defenses are toll-like receptors, IL-6, transforming growth factor beta, and many other pro-inflammatory defenses in the body. These defenses will attack the virus by using complicated pathways and mechanisms. These mechanisms will trigger fever, irritation and inflammation in the lungs, and cough which are the main symptoms of the COVID-19 disease.

Toll Like Receptors (TLR) have several downstream effects when they become activated by an agonist like coronavirus. The downstream products include tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-6, and inflammatory factor nitric oxide (NO). When low dose naltrexone blocks these TLRs, it inhibits the production of these inflammatory cytokines and acts as an immunomodulator through the suppression of innate immune cells.

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) has been proven to reduce several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the treatment of other diseases, but due to the recent discovery of this novel virus, we are unsure of the effectiveness of LDN on this virus. In one study where LDN was used to decrease fibromyalgia pain, the treatment group found reduced plasma levels of many inflammatory cytokines that are also released during immune response to COVID-19. These people found 18% reduction in overall symptoms, and the study suggests that that LDN plays a key role in the reduction of several key pro-inflammatory cytokines and symptoms.

The proposed mechanism by which LDN would work to effectively inhibit the coronavirus from causing severe illness is complicated and theorized. This means that the lungs would become less inflamed and have a larger amount of useful surface area in which oxygen could be passed from the lungs into the blood. When considering the mechanism of the Coronavirus, and the inhibitory effects of LDN, we are proposing the use of LDN to promote treatment and prophylaxis of this new infectious virus. Dr. Phil Boyle, an Irish physician has also proposed the immune enhancing effects of LDN for COVID-19 prophylaxis at doses of 3 mg to 4.5 mg nightly. He claims that daily LDN acts to normalize one’s immune system and could perhaps downregulate an overactive immune system in a time of infection.

When considering the possible benefits in contrast with the risks of using LDN, we should consider prior research to evaluate the likelihood of LDN causing severe adverse reactions. A meta-analysis was conducted analyzing the adverse effects of LDN compared to placebo. This study analyzed 11,194 patients and concluded that LDN does not increase the risk of serious adverse effects over placebo. These studies confirm the overall safety profile of oral LDN in the treatment of patients with varying doses and disease groups. This shows that the use of LDN in patients who are at-risk of contracting COVID-19 safe and highly advantageous.

A vaccine for the novel coronavirus is underway but could take months to years to finally hit the market. However, LDN is available now. With limited treatment options for the Novel Coronavirus and the severity of the disease, it is imperative to search for therapeutic options to improve immune health and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Low Dose Naltrexone could be used as an immune boosting agent for those who are at high risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease. Those who should be considered for this Low Dose Naltrexone therapy include the elderly, those who are immunocompromised, and those who have structural lung disease.

Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss how pharmacists are educated with Jordan Hughes, Pharm D candidate from Ohio Northern University. We will also discuss how your pharmacy is keeping you safe during this pandemic.

You can find all our Health Matters Podcasts here:  iTunes   Google Play  Stitcher

This episode is sponsored by Mercy Medical Center and Studio Arts and Glass.

COVID19 Resources

Ohio Department of Health

CDC COVID-19 Site

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

Coronavirus Symptoms vs Influenza Symptoms

Steps to Prevent Illness

Managing Coronavirus-related Stress

Refill your prescriptions at medshoprx.com

To Our Medicine Center Pharmacy Family,

For over 43 years, Medicine Center Pharmacy has been committed to servicing our patients and communities during any circumstance. That commitment still stands today, as we face the difficult challenge of responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
We will remain open, and we are committed to continuing to service all of our patients. However, there may be changes in the way that you are serviced by us in order to maintain the safest environment for you and our teammates.
 
As this situation continues to evolve, we are closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials. As a result of this, we:

• Hand sanitizer pumps at all of our cash registers

• Have increased our cleaning and sanitation for all of our pharmacies and stores especially focusing on highly used items

• Have policies in place for paid sick leave for our employees, in the event that they are sick or feel sick, they can stay home, or have the option to care for sick relatives 

Our thoughts go out to those who have already been affected by this unprecedented event.
 
We recognize that these are unsettling times. Please rest assured that as circumstances continue to develop, we will send out updates.
 
Thank you for trusting us with your medication needs.

Health Screenings and Educational Seminar Updates

For the time being, we have suspended our in store Lab screenings for Lipid Panels, A1C, TSH, etc...  In addition, we have cancelled our LDN and CBD live seminar on April 7th at the Hampton Inn in New Philadelphia.  We will be conducting this seminar live either on Facebook or Zoom with details to follow soon.

Refill your prescriptions at medshoprx.com

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Coronavirus Resources:

This program aired on March 6th, 2020 and the information detailed in the audio of the podcast was current at that time. We have updated this post with local resources to keep you informed about the developing situation at hand.

Ohio Department of Health

CDC COVID-19 Site

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

Coronavirus Symptoms vs Influenza Symptoms

Steps to Prevent Illness

Managing Coronavirus-related Stress

Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss Tips for Staying Safe and Well this Winter.

Coronavirus Resources:

This program aired on March 6th, 2020 and the information detailed in the audio of the podcast was current at that time. We have updated this post with local resources to keep you informed about the developing situation at hand.

Ohio Department of Health

CDC COVID-19 Site

Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU)

Coronavirus Symptoms vs Influenza Symptoms

Steps to Prevent Illness

Managing Coronavirus-related Stress

You can find all our Health Matters Podcasts here:  iTunes   Google Play  Stitcher

This episode is sponsored by Mercy Medical Center and Studio Arts and Glass.