Physicians are now prescribing herbs and supplements for the nine million members of the Kaiser Permanente HMO in a new program offered through its pharmacies.
Charles Elder MD says, "Finding quality supplements can be overwhelming for patients. One of the valuable things about this program is that we have taken the burden off members shoulders, by doing the research and legwork ourselves." He goes on to say that making supplements available at pharmacies "can improve clinical outcomes, patient convenience, and quality control".
A List of Supplements
Products that have been reviewed and currently in stock at Kaiser pharmacies are listed below:
St John’s wort for Depression
Glucosamine (chondroitin) for Osteoarthritis
Gingko Biloba for Cognitive impairment
Omega 3/fish oils for Lipids
Melatonin for Jet lag
Flaxseed for Lipids
Saw palmetto for Prostatic hypertrophy
Echinacea for Upper respiratory infection
Probiotics for diarrhea
Garlic for Atherosclerosis
Coenzyme Q10 for Parkinson disease
Feverfew for Migraine
Ginger for Nausea
Milk thistle for Liver dysfunction
References:
http://xnet.kp.org/permanentejournal/sum08/herbs.pdf
Integrating Herbs and Supplements in Managed Care: A Pharmacy Perspective
http://xnet.kp.org/permanentejournal/sum08/herbs.html
