Dr. Ronda Chakolis

you're able actually to get claims information to see when your patients are picking up their medications and when they got it filled. And I actually was in Georgia, had an allergic reaction, came back here to the clinic and they were able to say, hey, you know, I noticed you got a steroid dose pack when you were in Georgia. Are you okay? And I was like, oh, okay.

you're able actually to get claims information to see when your patients are picking up their medications and when they got it filled. And I actually was in Georgia, had an allergic reaction, came back here to the clinic and they were able to say, hey, you know, I noticed you got a steroid dose pack when you were in Georgia. Are you okay? And I was like, oh, okay.

You were able to get my claims information. So a lot of that information now is starting to be shared. But as Dr. Newsom pointed out, interfacing some of these technologies is challenging. Like, for example, I don't have access to the information that Walmart or Walgreens or CVS might have, you know, pharmacies aren't able to share information either.

You were able to get my claims information. So a lot of that information now is starting to be shared. But as Dr. Newsom pointed out, interfacing some of these technologies is challenging. Like, for example, I don't have access to the information that Walmart or Walgreens or CVS might have, you know, pharmacies aren't able to share information either.

A lot of patients seem to think that we do, but we don't. And there are good reasons why you just don't want information shared in an unregulated fashion.

A lot of patients seem to think that we do, but we don't. And there are good reasons why you just don't want information shared in an unregulated fashion.

I think that's a very controversial subject, but I want to take a step back and remove it from the medication thing. And I have to be very careful because of my role and what have you, but let's look at what obesity is, right? Obesity, African-American people are disproportionately affected by obesity. Obesity is tied to problems with osteoarthritis. It is tied to cardiovascular problems.

I think that's a very controversial subject, but I want to take a step back and remove it from the medication thing. And I have to be very careful because of my role and what have you, but let's look at what obesity is, right? Obesity, African-American people are disproportionately affected by obesity. Obesity is tied to problems with osteoarthritis. It is tied to cardiovascular problems.

It is tied to lipid problems. Um, and it's tied to a, you know, even for some people, their mental health. So, um, when we're looking at anything that affects obesity, um, We have to think about the risk and benefits of all of those conditions that it could possibly affect.

It is tied to lipid problems. Um, and it's tied to a, you know, even for some people, their mental health. So, um, when we're looking at anything that affects obesity, um, We have to think about the risk and benefits of all of those conditions that it could possibly affect.

So, for example, if a medication can, in general, decrease your weight, ideally that it's improving your cardiovascular health. It's working on your lipids. It's working on... you know, how you feel about yourself. The challenge is, is any medication, right? There are risks and benefits, right?

So, for example, if a medication can, in general, decrease your weight, ideally that it's improving your cardiovascular health. It's working on your lipids. It's working on... you know, how you feel about yourself. The challenge is, is any medication, right? There are risks and benefits, right?

And so this newer class of medicines, which a lot of times started out as diabetes meds, had this side effect. I mean, I will kind of do a history thing here and then I'll turn it over to Dr. Newsome. One of the medications that we use for erectile dysfunction, Viagra, was a lucky accident. That medication actually started out in clinical trials to be used to lower blood pressure.

And so this newer class of medicines, which a lot of times started out as diabetes meds, had this side effect. I mean, I will kind of do a history thing here and then I'll turn it over to Dr. Newsome. One of the medications that we use for erectile dysfunction, Viagra, was a lucky accident. That medication actually started out in clinical trials to be used to lower blood pressure.

And what happened is it did not work on blood pressure. And so the manufacturer went to come back and say, hey, I need to get my study medication back. people were like, uh-uh, I like this medicine. And so they were able to tease out that there was a side effect that was associated with it, which actually now is an indication for this medication, which is what we're seeing with the GOP ones.

And what happened is it did not work on blood pressure. And so the manufacturer went to come back and say, hey, I need to get my study medication back. people were like, uh-uh, I like this medicine. And so they were able to tease out that there was a side effect that was associated with it, which actually now is an indication for this medication, which is what we're seeing with the GOP ones.

That's the class of this medicines that initially started out for diabetes, but had the side effect of weight loss. And so, but again, when you think about it is side effects, right? I think we're coming to know more and more about them. You know, every day you're hearing something different as a potential side effect. There isn't a catch all fix all.

That's the class of this medicines that initially started out for diabetes, but had the side effect of weight loss. And so, but again, when you think about it is side effects, right? I think we're coming to know more and more about them. You know, every day you're hearing something different as a potential side effect. There isn't a catch all fix all.

Um, my family has struggled with weight and obesity. My community struggles with that. I will tell people if I thought that there was a magic bullet that would fix it without any, um, potential harm, I would certainly be first in line and, um, recommending that for everybody. So, uh, But that's my take on it. Dr. Newsome, do you have any comments?

Um, my family has struggled with weight and obesity. My community struggles with that. I will tell people if I thought that there was a magic bullet that would fix it without any, um, potential harm, I would certainly be first in line and, um, recommending that for everybody. So, uh, But that's my take on it. Dr. Newsome, do you have any comments?