Drugstore System Checks Prescriptions Against Herbal Supplements

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PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan 21 (AP) - One of the nation's top drugstore chains

has begun tracking herbal supplements used by customers in an effort to

avoid potentially risky combinations with prescription drugs. CVS Corp.

of Woonsocket is asking customers to tell their pharmacists what herbal

supplements they use. The information is entered into a computerized

program that cross-checks them for adverse combinations.

" We are deeply concerned that an increased use of vitamin and herbal

therapies can lead to an increased chance of potentially dangerous drug

interactions, " said Bodine, a CVS vice president for pharmacy. For

example, the supplement St. 's Wort, taken to relieve depression,

reduces the effectiveness of some heart medications, Bodine said

Thursday. Herbal supplements, largely unregulated, have grown into a

$1.5 billion annual industry and health care providers have been

struggling to educate people about using the remedies safely.

Pharmacist Felicia Rauchle of the independently owned Barrington

Pharmacy, said she watches the alternative remedies shelf across from

her counter and makes sure to ask customers what they're buying. " We

talk to all of our patients. If we don't think something is good for

them to take, we tell them, " said Rauchle, who has seen supplement sales

at her store skyrocket in the last year.

CVS, the nation's second-largest drugstore chain in terms of sales

behind Walgreens, will distribute forms to customers and then hold the

information on what they're taking in a confidential patient profile.

When the patient gets a prescription filled, the computer system

automatically will list possible reactions from mixing the drug with a

supplement. CVS has started a national advertising campaign encouraging

customers to use the service.

Walgreens is developing a database that will offer the same service,

company spokesman Polzin said. Walgreen pharmacists currently

use online reference material to check drugs against herbal supplements.

The computers at the Rite Aid chain cannot check prescriptions against

herbal supplements, but the chain does train pharmacists about possible

harmful combinations so they can warn customers, Rite Aid spokeswoman

Costello said.