Rumor vs Truth - Evidence‑Based Mythbusting for Healthcare Professionals

29 Episodes

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Vaccines

2026-10-2033:41

Vaccine rumors keep going viral…but which ones actually hold up when you look at the evidence? In this episode, pharmacists Don Weinberger and Steve Small take on the vaccine claims patients bring to the counter, with insight from infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. 📜 Have some past vaccines really had safety issues…and what changed?🧪 Is the aluminum in vaccines toxic?👶 Do HPV vaccines affect fertility?· ...

Generic Meds

2026-09-1531:02

Generic drugs save money, but do they lower the bar? From what "bioequivalent" really requires to why an authorized generic can look just like the brand name, a lot of what gets assumed about generic drugs hasn't caught up with how tightly this corner of pharmacy is actually regulated. In this episode, Don and Steve pick apart the claims pharmacists hear most about generic drugs. 🔬 Do generics really get held to a lower approval or quality bar than the brand drug?📦 Is an authorize...

BONUS: Mailbag – Does Naloxone Increase Opioid Misuse?

2026-09-0306:10

Naloxone and nalmefene are reaching more hands than ever—through bystander programs, pharmacy dispensing protocols, and over-the-counter sales. But as access expands, one question keeps coming up: Does easier access to naloxone or nalmefene actually make opioid misuse worse? In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we answer a listener question about whether increasing naloxone and nalmefene access encourages opioid misuse or overdose. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD, and Steve Small, Ph...

Opioids

2026-08-1824:22

Opioid Rules of Thumb Are Sticky—Even When the Evidence Moves On. From how quickly dependence risk starts to whether the newest non-opioid really replaces an opioid, a lot of advice is still running on assumptions learned years ago. In this episode, Don and Steve separate opioid fact from folklore by challenging long-held assumptions with the latest evidence. 💊 How fast can dependence risk start after a first prescription? 🆕 Does suzetrigine (Journavx) give opioi...

BONUS: Mailbag - Do Patients Need to Separate Miralax From Other Medications?

2026-08-0604:32

Send us Fan Mail Can polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350, Miralax) affect the absorption of other medications? In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we answer a listener question about whether polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350) should be separated from other medications and, if so, by how long. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD and Steve Small, PharmD break down what the evidence actually shows about laxatives, intestinal transit time, and medication absorption. Together, they discuss: Can PEG 33...

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Rumor vs Truth - Evidence‑Based Mythbusting for Healthcare Professionals