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Looking for Low Cost Generic Prescriptions? Echo Pharmacy Has You Covered!

 

Echo Care Generic Prescription Program

Does it sometimes feel as if you need to be a doctor to understand your own health care or an insurance executive to understand your healthcare coverage? Well, healthcare does NOT have to be so difficult and confusing. At Echo Pharmacy we pride ourselves on the individual care we offer each of our customers and we always look for ways to help.

When you choose Echo Pharmacy, you choose a place where the staff will take the time to get to know you and offer sincere help and guidance with your healthcare. It is important to have a full understanding of the medication you take including what it is used for, possible side effects, and possible contraindications. The pharmacists at Echo Pharmacy will ensure that all of your medications are safe to take together and will educate you so that you get the best result from them.

That's not all you get when you choose Echo Pharmacy. In response to the confusion, expense and hardship many of customers face with their insurance coverage, or lack of coverage, we are now proud to offer the Echo Care Generic Prescription Program!  Our program provides over 100 generic prescriptions for very low prices and with no hassles. There are no premiums to pay, no membership fees, no deductibles to meet, no donut holes, no need for prior approvals or insurance authorizations. Just generic medications for very low cost! 

• 90 day supply -     $20
• 6 month supply -   $37
• 9 month supply -   $55
• 12 month supply - $70

We are your neighbors and we want to help. When you are feeling ill, your energy should be on recovery, not worry over medication. We welcome you to stop by and meet our staff and to learn more about our Echo Care Generic Prescription Program. We look forward to seeing you!

Do You Want the Right to Choose Your Pharmacy?

There has been an abundance of talk about healthcare over the past few years. Most people seem to focus on the cost of coverage and the type of care they will receive from hospitals and physicians. But discussion about access to pharmacies and the cost of medications should take place also.

Echo Pharmacy has been vocal in support of small business and the positive impact it has on local communities and the savings it can provide the consumer. Unfortunately, health plans may limit your access to independent pharmacies resulting in higher costs and less personal care.

Insurance companies and their Pharmacy Business Managers may force patients to utilize stores in their Preferred Pharmacy Network which is typically one of the large national chains. In fact, independent pharmacies are not allowed to become part of a preferred network. Many Pharmacy Business Managers are either owned by or have a heavy interest in big chain pharmacies.

Recently, U.S. Representative Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) penned a letter to Medicare over concerns about "preferred network" drug plans in Medicare Part B benefits.

“Over the last few months I have been hearing increasing concerns from Medicare beneficiaries and small business owners in my congressional district regarding Medicare Part D plans that feature preferred pharmacy networks,” Rep. Ryan wrote. “As these networks grow and expand in number, I am concerned that they could lead to a decrease in access to quality care and threaten the survival of small business pharmacies that play a vital role in our communities.”

Representative Ryan further cited Medicare's own publication which suggested that costs may be higher in preferred networks versus non-preferred networks as well as cases where patients had to travel outside of their county to find a participating pharmacy. For the elderly or infirm, such travel may be impossible not to mention cost prohibitive.

If you would like to add your support in being able to choose your pharmacy, please follow this link and sign the petition. 

Being your hometown pharmacy is important to us and we always strive to offer you the best. To this end, we have introduced the "Echo Care Generic Prescription Program" to help you save on the cost of generic prescriptions. No insurance is necessary to save on over 100 generic prescriptions! No membership fees, no deductibles, no premiums. Just the medication you need at prices you can afford. Please stop by to learn how we can save YOU money!

Competition in the marketplace should be allowed. Let patients shop around and choose the pharmacy which is best for them. It could be the closest pharmacy, the least expensive, or the one where the pharmacists offer personal care and services. If the patient is really fortunate, they might just find a pharmacy that encompasses it all just like Echo Pharmacy does for our Miller Place neighbors!

Save Money! Shop Local!

We are in the midst of the busiest shopping season of year and Echo Pharmacy has a tip to help you save money and help your community at the same time! It's simple! Just shop local!

There is a misconception that larger chain stores always have lower prices than the smaller locally owned stores and that the chains generate more local revenue. However, study after study has shown this is not the case!

Big chains say that building their stores will generate local jobs and bring additional revenue into the community. The reality is that chains will often clone existing buildings which means there will be no need for the local planning such as architects and engineers. Also, the materials are ordered in bulk from their suppliers rather than through local suppliers. In contrast, a local business will hire architects, accountants, engineers, sign makers, contractors and so many more local businesses which will keep the money right in the community.  Does the chain bring more sales revenue to your community? Not according to an extensive study conducted at Iowa State University. It concluded that sales simply shift dollars away from existing local merchants.

How about choice and selection of products? Once again, local businesses are more likely to purchase inventory from local retailers which keeps the local economy strong. The small business owner is more in tune with the wants and needs of the people in it's community and will be able to stock their stores appropriately. Big chains have few buyers tasked with buying merchandise for all of their stores. The selection will not be made with the specific community in mind. For example, think of the big department stores in Florida that stock wool sweaters starting in October, but no shorts. This does not fill the local need! 

Buy from a local business and their profit will go right back into your community. With the big chains, the profits are exported to the corporate headquarters and away from your community. Over the past twenty year, sales of the largest 500 corporations grew 700% while they became disemployers meaning that they fire more people than they hire. Our economy pushes forward because of the employment provided by small businesses.

Get to know your local shop owners this season. You may be surprised by the selection you find in their stores as well as the competitive prices. At Echo Pharmacy, prescriptions are often less expensive than at the big chains. Plus, we get to know you and offer personalized care. We are active in the community and work hard to make this area a great place to live and work. Come on in. We'd love to meet you!

Are You at Risk for Diabetes?

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and a great opportunity to discuss the risk factors of the disease.  Diabetes affects 26 million Americans with an estimated 79 million American adults aged 20 years or older having prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing the disease. With these numbers, you can see the importance of knowing the risk factors!

Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90 -95% of all diagnosed cases. The risk factors include:

• Family history of type 2 diabetes
• Being overweight
• Aged 45 or older
• Being physically active less than 3X/week
• Having given birth to a baby that weighed over 9 pounds
• Had gestational diabetes

So now that you know the risk factors, what can you do about it? With type 2 diabetes being associated with obesity, physical activity and a healthy diet are important. The Center for Disease Control has created the National Diabetes Prevention Program which is an evidence based lifestyle change program for preventing type 2 diabetes. Participating in the program can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half!

The pharmacists and staff at Echo Pharmacy are here to help and provide support. We have a Certified Diabetes Educator on staff who can provide comprehensive individual assistance with glucometers, strips, lancets, insulin, syringes, medications, diet and exercise. Come in and see us or give us a call at 631-642-8175 to learn how we can help!

Common Questions to Ask the Pharmacist

When your child is sick, you probably have a list of questions for the doctor to help you provide the best care. Do you also have a list of questions for the pharmacist? 

Pharmacists can provide a wealth of information to help you care for your child. Be sure to inform the pharmacist of any pertinent information such as allergies and current medications. This will help the pharmacist protect against possible interactions.  Common questions for the pharmacist are:

• Does the medication need to be refrigerated?

• Should the medication be given with food?

• Can the pills be cut in half or crushed and mixed into foods?

• Will herbal remedies or over the counter medicines affect the prescription?

• Are there any special precautions to be taken such as avoiding sunlight?

• What should I do if a dose is skipped?

• Is there a best time of day to give the medicine?

• Are there any foods to be avoided while taking the medicine?

• What are the possible side effects and what can be done to relieve them?

• When should I contact the doctor if I do not see improvement?

The pharmacists at Echo Pharmacy are always happy to answer questions and provide support. Our staff receives continuing education to ensure we are always up to date with drug therapy.  At our hometown pharmacy, our staff is always available and will treat you with respect and privacy. Come down and get to know us!

Our Certified Diabetes Educator is Here to Help!

Echo Pharmacy is not your typical pharmacy. We are proud to offer a hometown feel and do all that we can to support our patients. To that end, we have a Certified Diabetes Educator on staff to help manage your diabetes most effectively.

A certified diabetes educator has extensive knowledge and experience in diabetes management, pre-diabetes, and diabetes prevention. By having a certified diabetes educator on staff, Echo Pharmacy provides education and support to those affected by diabetes and helps the patient manage their condition. 

Our certified diabetes educator can help devise individualized behavioral and treatment goals. Exercise routines and nutrition plans can be discussed. Choices can be made about which blood glucose meters to utilize and the patient can be educated on the best way to test. 

Echo Pharmacy's certified diabetes educator is on hand to answer all questions. Patients will find the support they need to feel confident in the choices they make. 

If you have any questions about diabetes, diabetes management, or our certified diabetes educator, please call us at 631-642-8175.