Northgate Pharmacy

04/12/2025

Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap: Which is better for preventing seasonal bugs?

When it comes to preventing seasonal illnesses like colds, flu, and stomach viruses, soap and water are the clear winners.

Why Soap Is Better:
- Soap physically removes germs from your skin by breaking down the sticky bonds that hold them in place. This means viruses and bacteria slide off your hands entirely.
- Hand sanitizer kills many germs, but it doesn't remove dirt, grease, or certain pathogens like norovirus and Clostridium difficile.
- Cold-weather illnesses often spread via surface contact, and thorough handwashing is more effective at stopping transmission.

When to Use Hand Sanitizer:
- Use it only when soap and water aren't available.
- Make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol for it to be effective.
Check out more information from the CDC here: https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/hand-sanitizer-facts.html

02/12/2025

Why Meds Work Differently in Cold Weather:

Cold weather can slow blood circulation, which may affect how quickly injected or transdermal medications are absorbed.
A recent study showed that timing of drug administration relative to cold exposure can alter therapeutic effects -some drugs worked better when taken before cold exposure, others after exposure.

Storage Stability

Freezing can damage drugs, especially biologics like insulin and vaccines. Once frozen, these medications may lose potency and become ineffective, even if they thaw later.

Liquid and injectable medications are more vulnerable than pills or capsules. Even brief exposure to freezing temperatures can degrade their chemical structure.

Mail-order prescriptions are at higher risk during winter. Meds left in mailboxes, cars, or delivery trucks may be exposed to extreme cold.

Check out more information here: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/our-stories/can-extreme-weather-affect-how-your-medications-work

27/11/2025

24/11/2025

Flu Shots Available

Flu season is beginning. It's time to arm yourself with a quick stick in your arm! Come in today for your seasonal flu shot. We make it quick and easy!

21/11/2025

Do Generics Measure Up To Brand Names? Maybe Even BETTER?!

Do you know the differences between FDA approved generic medications and brand name meds? Both drugs have the same active ingredients. Brand-name drugs are the first on the market and cost much more in order to recoup the money spent to develop the drugs. The manufacturers have several years of exclusivity due to the patent on the drug. Once that time frame expires, any pharmaceutical company can make a generic version of the drug. Same active ingredient AND a lower price makes Generic Medications a smart choice! Have questions about what's best for you? Ask our Pharmacists!

17/11/2025

Time to stock up now in case Flu hits you out of the blue! BIOLYTE¨ is the only Medical Grade Hydration drink to have the same amount of electrolytes as an IV bag. This unique drink helps fight nausea, headaches and fatigue associated with dehydration. With 6.5x more electrolytes than leading sports drinks, BIOLYTE is your best choice for getting back in the game fast! Comes in several flavors. Ask our staff about Biolyte. Available in singles or by the case!

23/10/2025

PBMs are again using untrue tactics for their best interests. Please see the below information to file a complaint if this is happening to you.

26/09/2025

💙 To Our Valued PEEHIP Customers 💙

We want to address some misinformation that many of you may have received. Express Scripts recently mailed a letter stating that our pharmacy will no longer be contracted with them as of November 30, 2025. This is false information!

Unfortunately, this is another tactic being used to push patients toward mail order and away from their trusted, local pharmacy. We want to assure you - we are still here, still contracted, and still honored to serve our PEEHIP families.

For over 40 years, it has been our privilege to care for teachers, retirees, and their loved ones. You are not just customers - you are family. That’s why it’s disheartening to see pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) use confusion and scare tactics instead of fairness and transparency. Quite frankly, we are tired of watching PBMs act as though they are above the law. They don’t play fairly, and it’s our patients who suffer in the process.

Please know this: we love our PEEHIP customers. We will continue to fight for you, to advocate for fair treatment, and to provide the personal care that no mail order or chain pharmacy can.

Thank you for trusting us with your health!

26/08/2025

We’ve listened to our Northgate Pharmacy customers! Starting this week, you can receive a text notification as soon as your prescriptions are ready. You’ll also be able to pay securely online through Nimble with your debit or credit card.

✅ Faster drive-thru pick up
✅ Easier medication deliveries
✅ More convenience for you!

We’re excited to make your pharmacy experience quicker and simpler than ever.

21/08/2025

We’ve listened to our Northgate Pharmacy customers! Starting next week, you can receive a text notification as soon as your prescriptions are ready. You’ll also be able to pay securely online through Nimble with your debit or credit card.

✅ Faster drive-thru pick up
✅ Easier medication deliveries
✅ More convenience for you!

We’re excited to make your pharmacy experience quicker and simpler than ever.