Get To Know Your Pharmacist

Posted on | February 7, 2009 | 1 Comment

The two very important health care professionals you have are your doctor and your pharmacist. Unless you are hospitalized, or undergoing surgery, a large portion of your health care needs are going to come from the local pharmacist. You probably know yourÂ doctor’s name, but do you know the name of your pharmacist? Those who do most likely do business with anÂ individually owned pharmacy, an under-utilized resource for excellent health care.

While all pharmacists have roughly the same training, a pharmacist in a huge chain pharmacy or drug store often is supervising the work of technicians. While this is an efficient means of dispensing medications, most patients do not interact with the pharmacist and are not able to utilize their knowledge and experience. In some franchises, it is easier to get the store manager to aid in assisting you with a cold remedy than the pharmacist or pharmacist technician, and a patient would be lucky if the pharmacy staff offered to check and confirm there were not any adverse reactions between the over the counter medicine and any prescribed medicines they are taking.

Mom and Pop pharmacies are usually owned and operated by the same person. Running a non franchise drug store is extremely challenging, but a lot of them would tell you that they got into the business to care for people, not just hand out pills. Mom and Pop pharmacists take on the extra trouble because they truly want to give an added measure of care than what they can do as a supervising pharmacist in a large chain.

I do know the name of my pharmacist, by the way, and like my doctor he knows I am married, work as a webmaster and go to church on a regular basis. I know that if I have a medication related question I can contact him and ask, and he truly cares enough to listen carefully. My pharmacist knows everything you need to know about medicine, as well as being a extremely well educated health care provider he is familiar with a wide variety of helpful remedies for illnesses or injuries that may not need a visit to a doctor. A good pharmacist can help with bruises and sprains, with bandages and braces. Inquire about fevers that are unexpected or unfamiliar skin irritations with your pharmacist and they will likely know what to do. Many pharmacies carry items that make life more managable when taking care of an elderly parent, or can offer counsel on managing chronic illnesses like Diabetes.

Mom and Pop pharmacies run by an owner often do specialty work such as compounding. A compounding pharmacist can customize the dosage or delivery method of medications for customers. Women who are getting hormone replacement therapy sometimes greatly benefit from tailored dosages made possible by compounding pharmacists. Other services include counseling to find better medications for patients who look for a more effective remedy or seek a cheaper alternative to their prescription. In many states, a pharmacist can provide flu and pneumonia injections as well as travel vaccinations for your out of the country trip. Your community pharmacist is often a great resource for vitamins, minerals and herbal preparations.

To take full advantage of your pharmacist as a member of your health care group, visit and ask to meet him or her. Convey to them about your health concerns. Pharmacists, like doctors, are lawfully bound to treat your personal health information with complete confidence. You can find a non franchise drug store in your neighborhood by running an internet search for drug store and your city name.

It is one thing to have a whole bunch of doctors practicing in a number of specialties, but having many pharmacies can be quite dangerous, as medication interactions are a real danger. Having all your medications with one pharmacy adds an extra measure of safety. After you have found a pharmacist you are comfortable with, bring in your medications so he or she can review them.

Category: Healthy Living

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One Response to “Get To Know Your Pharmacist”

Ez Pharmacy Technician Tips » Blog Archive » National pharmacy technician test
February 7th, 2009 @ 9:38 am

[...] In some franchises, it is easier to get the store manager to aid in assisting you with a cold remedy than the pharmacist or pharmacist technician, and a patient would be lucky if the pharmacy staff offered to check and … Pharmacy Technician Job Info [...]