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<p>The &#8220;Sound Medicine&#8221; program for April 20 includes segments about the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, the &#8220;gate-keeping&#8221; role of pharmacists, and insurance coverage of rehabilitation for prescription painkiller addiction.</p>

On ‘Sound Medicine’: The Ebola virus, high-risk-suicide prevention, and children’s health advocacy

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INDIANAPOLIS — The “Sound Medicine” program for April 20 includes segments about the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, the “gate-keeping” role of pharmacists, and insurance coverage of rehabilitation for prescription painkiller addiction.

Will insurance cover rehabilitation for opioid addiction? According to Andrew Chambers, M.D., an alcohol and opioid dual addiction specialist, many people suffering from prescription painkiller addiction are denied insurance coverage for treatment, even though insurance initially paid for the medication that spurred the addiction. Dr. Chambers discusses treatment options for opioid addiction as well as the true cost of rehabilitation for both physicians and patients. Dr. Chambers is an associate professor of psychiatry at the IU School of Medicine.

Are pharmacists required to investigate sketchy scripts? Hamid Abbaspour, R.Ph., MBA, founder and president of Dr. Aziz Pharmacy, says pharmacists play an important gate-keeping role by keeping powerful medicines out of the wrong hands. The general public is largely unaware of what pharmacists do, besides count pills. Dr. Abbaspour discusses the role pharmacists play in medication regulation and what legal obligations they have if doctors or patients abuse prescription privileges.

Is the Ebola virus spreading to urban African centers? A recent outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in Guinea has left 83 dead and is believed to be spreading to neighboring countries. The Ebola virus, also know as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, can cause severe illness and death in humans. Erika Hayes, M.D., director of the pediatric HIV program at Washington University, discusses how the Ebola virus is transmitted, how people can protect themselves, and why a team of infectious disease experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating.

How can suicide be prevented during periods of high risk?  A recent paper published by Mark Olfson, M.D., MPH, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, focused on suicide prevention at periods of high risk, such as being discharged from a psychiatric hospital. Dr. Olfson joins “Sound Medicine” to discuss his article, define high-risk periods for suicide and offer tips for how loved ones can be prepared during such periods.

How can we advocate for children’s health? The health of U.S. children is looking up thanks to initiatives like Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign. Judith Palfrey, M.D., a prominent pediatrician and strong advocate for the health of children, joins “Sound Medicine” to discuss what being an all-encompassing advocate for children entails and how parents can help children stay healthy. Dr. Palfrey is a professor of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard University as well as director of the Children’s Global Pediatric Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She was also the executive director for the “Let’s Move” campaign.

Where can parents learn car seat safety? As part of the “Help Yourself” series, Sandy Roob investigates car seat safety. According to Beth Boles, RN, MSN, technicians at car seat fitting stations are available to fit children with the proper seat, demonstrate proper buckling procedures and update parents on safety guidelines.

“Sound Medicine” covers controversial ethics topics, breakthrough research studies and the day-to-day application of recent advancements in medicine. It’s also available via podcast and Stitcher Radio for mobile phones and iPads and posts updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Co-produced by the IU School of Medicine and WFYI Public Radio (90.1 FM) and underwritten in part by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, “Sound Medicine” airs on the following Indiana public radio stations: WBSB (Anderson, 89.5 FM), WFIU (Bloomington, 103.7 FM; Columbus, 100.7 FM; Kokomo, 106.1 FM; Terre Haute, 95.1 FM), WNDY (Crawfordsville, 91.3 FM), WVPE (Elkhart/South Bend, 88.1 FM), WNIN (Evansville, 88.3 FM), WBOI (Fort Wayne, 89.1 FM), WFCI (Franklin, 89.5 FM), WBSH (Hagerstown/New Castle, 91.1 FM), WFYI (Indianapolis), WBSW (Marion, 90.9 FM), WBST (Muncie, 92.1 FM), WBSJ (Portland, 91.7 FM), WLPR (Lake County, 89.1 FM) and WBAA (West Lafayette, 101.3 FM).

“Sound Medicine” is also broadcast on these public radio stations across the country: KSKA (Anchorage, Alaska), KTNA (Talkeetna, Alaska), KUHB (Pribilof Islands, Alaska), KUAF (Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Ark.), KIDE (Hoopa Valley, Calif.), KRCC (Colorado Springs, Colo.), KEDM (Monroe, La.), WCMU (Mount Pleasant, Mich.), WCNY and WRVO-1 (Syracuse, N.Y.), KMHA (Four Bears, N.D.), WYSU (Youngstown, Ohio), KPOV (Bend, Ore.), KEOS (College Station, Texas), HPPR (High Plains Public Radio).

Please check local listings for broadcast dates and times.