Former vice president Dick Chaney and his daughter, former member of the House of Representatives Liz Chaney, both said that not only will they not vote for Trump, but they will vote for Harris. They would rather support a person whose policies they mostly do not agree with than support a fellow Republican who they believe is a threat to our democracy. They believe that once Trump is defeated, the Republican Party will go back to its traditional roots. It is something for other traditional Republicans and true conservatives to ponder.

Now to my main topic. As of this writing, I have gone through three days of reaction to my second shingles shot. With the first shot, I only had the pain of the shot. With the second shot, I have some symptoms of having the flu. It is no fun getting this, but the benefits outweigh the short period of being uncomfortable. My father had shingles and his experience of being in pain is consistent with what I heard from people whose parents also had shingles.

I knew what I was getting into because I was given full disclosure about the potential side effects of the shot. That is how it should be, whether it is when given a shot or medication. Unfortunately, it does not always happen.

My theory is that physicians who believe that it is in the patient’s best interest to have the shot or medication are afraid to mention possible side effects. If they do, then the patients could decide not to have the shot or the medication. That is incorrect. Patients should be given as much information as possible for them to make an informed decision on what they want to do with their own body. Another possibility is that they have time constraints and unless they must explain the possible side effects, they will merely ask the patient if they have any questions.

On TV, there are so many commercials for medication that show happy people. The implication is that the medication is making their life better. Yet they mention possible side effects. The fact that it is being mentioned while the people in the commercial are smiling and doing enjoyable things may limit its impact. At least they are being mentioned.

There are requirements for certain medications to have instructions that list side effects when you purchase the medication.

Under New York State Law, “Prior to dispensing a prescription for the first time for a new patient of the pharmacy or a prescription for a new medication for an existing patient of the pharmacy and/or a change in the dose, strength, route of administration or directions for use of an existing prescription previously dispensed for an existing patient of the pharmacy, a pharmacist or pharmacy intern providing prescription services shall be required to personally counsel each patient or person authorized to act on behalf of a patient who presents a prescription, … in person in a face-to-face meeting whenever practicable, or by telephone, matters which in the exercise of the pharmacist’s or pharmacy intern’s professional judgment, the pharmacist or pharmacy intern deems appropriate, which may include: the name and description of the medication and known indications; dosage form, dosage, route of administration and duration of drug therapy; special directions and precautions for preparation, administration and use by the patient; common severe side or adverse effects or interactions and therapeutic contraindications that may be encountered, including their avoidance, and the action required if they occur, techniques for self-monitoring drug therapy; proper storage; prescription refill information; and action to be taken in the event of a missed dose.”

On its face, this seems to require pharmacists to give “counseling” in every situation listed above. However, there is a big caveat.  “In the event a patient refuses to supply information necessary for maintenance of a medication profile, or to accept counseling, … a pharmacist or pharmacy intern may fill a prescription as presented, without having violated the requirements of this subparagraph, provided that the refusal to provide such information or accept counseling is documented in the records of the pharmacy.” The mechanics of the refusal to except counseling including whether responding that you have no questions or you do not want counseling is beyond the scope of this column and will not be addressed.

The point is that it is the requirement of the person receiving the medication to ask the questions and not just to rely on the fact that a physician ordered it and a pharmacist filled it.

As it relates to medication, at least there is the ability to do one’s own research online, such as the FDA website, and if there is still a concern, to reach out to the physician and discuss. This is not foolproof, because a bad reaction could be permanent. In any event, this ability to change or stop medication does not apply to getting a shot. When you receive the shot, it is done. You cannot undue what was done.

Another thing that I do not understand is when doctors ask about family history regarding conditions like congestive heart failure or high blood pressure, they do not ask about reactions to medication or shots. Would it not be important to know if a sibling, child, or a parent had a reaction to a specific medication or shot, especially if it was serious? 

There is no requirement under New York State law for a pharmacist to ask this question. “Each pharmacist shall maintain a patient medication profile. Such medication profile shall include, but not be limited to, the patient’s name, address, telephone number, gender, date of birth or age, known allergies and drug reactions, chronic diseases, a comprehensive list of medications and relevant devices and other information reported to the pharmacist appropriate for counseling an individual regarding use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Pharmacists or pharmacy interns shall conduct a prospective drug review before each prescription is dispensed or delivered to a patient or person authorized to act on behalf of the patient. Such review shall include screening for potential drug therapy problems due to therapeutic duplication, drug-drug interactions, including serious interactions with over-the-counter drugs, incorrect drug dosage or duration of drug treatment, drug-allergy interactions, and clinical abuse or misuse.”

It would be a mistake to wait and rely on the medical profession to make the necessary changes. Obvious changes such as requiring doctors to type their prescriptions instead of handwriting them to limit mistakes took years.

As a patient, you should ask questions and do your own research. If you know of a family member who had a bad reaction to a shot or specific medication, mention it to the doctor and pharmacist and express your concern before you agree to the same regimen.

If a medical professional or pharmacist is unwilling to give you basic information and respond to your concerns, then maybe it is time to find someone else.

No system is perfect. Even if the weighing of factors indicates that you go in one direction, it may ultimately not be the correct path. We have to use our best efforts and do our hishtadlus, even if it is G-d who makes the final decision.


Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.