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April 24, 2012 More AWARxE News »Ask Your Pharmacist
Get Informed on How Your Pharmacist Can Help You
Pharmacists are medication experts
They are trained to understand how medications work in your body, and to identify medication interactions and problems. Pharmacists can look at all of the medications you take, including non-prescription medications, and help you determine if a medicine is right for you, and if your medicines are doing what they are supposed to do. This is called a “Yearly Medication Check-up.” Talk to your pharmacist and schedule your check-up today.
Pharmacists are trained in managing drug therapy
That is, a pharmacist may look at all of the medications you are taking to determine if you are taking the dosage that is right for you. Perhaps you are taking medications you no longer need or there is a better medication for you. Many people take medications prescribed by several physicians for many medical problems. This may lead to medication duplications. That is why it is important to have a regular review of your medications by your physician or your pharmacist.
Pharmacists can provide medication review
If at all possible, use the same pharmacy for all of your medication needs. Your pharmacist can review all your medications and make sure they are working for you. Ask your pharmacist when you have questions about your drugs or drug costs. Pharmacists may suggest another drug to you and to your physician that may save you money. Pharmacists may suggest another drug option to lessen side effects, or may suggest another drug that will be more beneficial for you.
Pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers
Get to know your pharmacist. Pharmacists are often available when other health care providers are not. Pharmacists work closely with your physicians, and they can and often do help patients in emergencies. Pharmacists, along with physicians and nurses, have provided emergency services during natural disasters. In a medical emergency, pharmacists can administer the first dose of a patient's medication (i.e., insulin for a diabetic). Medical emergencies may include situations such as natural disasters, accidents, epidemics, or terrorist attacks.
Pharmacists provide much more than medication dispensing
Besides being health care providers, pharmacists are members of your community, your churches, and your local organizations. They care about you, their patients. They are concerned about safety with medications. Pharmacists can provide counsel on a number of health care issues, particularly any questions you have about medications. For more than a decade, the Gallop Poll has found pharmacists to be among the most trusted professionals. Talk to your pharmacist about your medications.
Pharmacists can provide many additional health care services
Pharmacists can monitor your health and progress with medications for several chronic diseases. Among the chronic diseases or conditions that pharmacists regularly monitor are asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight loss, and tobacco use. Some pharmacies provide adult immunizations for flu and other conditions, as well as vaccines needed for travel. These services are often referred to as pharmaceutical care services or medication therapy management services. Some insurance plans do not cover all of these services. Talk to your pharmacist about availability.
Pharmacists collaborate with other health care providers
Pharmacists may enter into formal collaborative agreements with physicians that allow pharmacists, under a signed, written agreement, to manage the drug therapy for the physician's patients throughout a defined period of time. Pharmacists will usually meet with you, take a medication history, and create a medication plan for you. They will share this with your doctor and follow up with you on a regular basis to see if you are meeting your health care goals.
