Consult with Your Pharmacist
Everyone should have a good relationship with their pharmacist. They are the most accessible member of your healthcare team.
Your pharmacist can play a big role in your health care. They are trained to help people understand their health problems and treatments. Pharmacists are the most accessible member of your health team and most pharmacists want to talk to patients. To start the dialog pick one pharmacy and stick with it. Filling your prescriptions at one place ensures safety as; most pharmacies have computerized systems to prevent possible drug interaction.
If your pharmacist seems too busy to approach, ask if you can come in at a more convenient time. A good pharmacist will look up your file ahead of time and be ready for any questions you have. If you find you can’t talk to him, switch pharmacies.
A long running study in Asheville, NC, shows that it does make a difference to bond with your pharmacist. For the past 10 years, the city has given free diabetes medication to city workers with the disease if they get monthly counseling from a trained pharmacist. After a few months on the program, more than 50 percent of patients had their blood sugar under control, and medical costs have dropped drastically.
Here are some questions you should ask the pharmacist when you get a new prescription.
- What side effects can result from this drug?
- Can it interact with any drug I am on, including over-the -counter medications and supplements?
- Is this treatment the best treatment for my condition? If not, what is?
- How long will I be on this medication?
- How soon can I expect results?
- How do I take this medication (on an empty stomach or with food?)
- Is there a generic that will save me money?
- How can I prevent the progression of my disease?
Liked it
lanne | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
These are all very good points Ruby. A few years back I was seeing my family Dr. as well as a specialist, and they were both prescribing medications. It was my pharmacist who caught on to the fact that a couple of the medications, when taken together could have resulted in disaster. Great article.
salvatore | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
very useful advice, great article. well done
nobert soloria bermosa | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
another set of good advices, thanks Ruby and thanks also for the very informative comment lanne,
Glynis | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
Great article, I am married to a Pharmacist and believe me he has saved many a life from ‘errors’ and poor advice from General Practitioners. In UK when they train,Doctors don’t spend the length of time on Pharmacy matters as the general public think they might, so your Pharmacist who has a degree and thorough training in such matters is a good port of call when you need advice. My husband was asked to help a lady with her rash, when he went to call her into his consulting,private area she had already dropped her trousers and exposed the top of a very large thigh in the middle of our Pharmacy! the staff were trying to keep a straight face as hubby tried to assist her, ” Oh I’m not shy dear” she said “just have a look”…his embarrasing moment
PR Mace | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
I am a nurse and this is good sound advice. Thanks Ruby.
Liane Schmidt | Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
Great advice, very well done!
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Abby Rose | Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for your great advice!
Ruby Hawk | Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
Thank you all for your comments and your interest.
Glynis I loved your story. I can imagine your husband’s embarrasment. That’s a good one. Keep well everyone.
Mark Gordon Brown | Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
I live in a small community as such my pharmacist really treats me like a person.. I respect that.
Lucy Lockett | Jun 16, 2008 | Reply
This is great advice!
Ruby Hawk | Jun 17, 2008 | Reply
Thanks again to you all. I had a talk with my pharamist yesterday and got a list of all the four dollar drugs Wal-Mart has on the market. it is amazing how much money you can save if your doctor will prescribe from their list.
beauley, Lucien | Jun 19, 2008 | Reply
First of all…Very well written. Good advice and I like your list of self-help questionaire at your closing. Thank you.
Amos | Jun 20, 2008 | Reply
Good information for us to take heed to.
Ebey Soman | Dec 9, 2008 | Reply
As a pharmacy student and a employee at a pharmacy, i can assure you that Pharmacists are the most responsible people in your health care system.
you will be surprised to hear of horror stories of really retarded doctors writing scripts that can possibly even kill their patients.