{
  "id": 8577051,
  "title": "Crushing drugs can reduce efficacy, worsen side effects, say pharmacists",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/crushing-drugs-can-reduce-efficacy-worsen-side-effects-say-pharmacists-8577051",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-20T00:17:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/crushing-drugs-can-reduce-efficacy-worsen-side-effects-say-pharmacists/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Pharmacists warn that crushing modified-release tablets can destroy their slow-release mechanism, leading to overdose, toxic effects, and treatment failure Read More: https://punchng.com/crushing-drugs-can-reduce-efficacy-worsen-side-effects-say-pharmacists/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Crushing drugs can reduce efficacy, worsen side effects, say pharmacists",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/crushing-drugs-can-reduce-efficacy-worsen-side-effects-say-pharmacists",
        "published": "2026-09-20T00:17:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}