Get To Know Your Pharmacist So They Can Get To Know You
Published February 5, 2025
If you are like most Americans, you are on a first name basis with your hairdresser, barber, maybe even your car mechanic or your dry cleaner. But do you know the first name of your pharmacist?
Pharmacists, especially those working in retail pharmacies (e.g., CVS, Walgreens), are available when you go to pick up your prescriptions. In fact, you should always be asked if you want to speak to the pharmacist when picking up your medicines. But do you know what that means or why you should speak to the pharmacist?
Pharmacists are very knowledgeable about how medicines work, what they treat, how you should take them, and what side effects you may experience. They can answer questions you may have about both your prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. In fact, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) lists six (6) important topics pharmacists can discuss with you.
Medicine management: Pharmacists can help you keep track of your medicines. They can help you stay organized by making sure you have the right medicine and doses. They will monitor for potential drug interactions and will contact you and your doctor if something does not seem right. They can also make sure you have the right devices (e.g., syringe) to measure your medicine and will show you how to use it correctly.
Opioid safety: Pharmacists can educate you on how to appropriately take these powerful pain medicines to avoid accidentally taking too much. They can monitor their use and provide you with information on how to properly dispose of them. They can also provide you with naloxone, a medicine that reverses an opioid overdose, and can teach you and your family members or caregivers how to use it.
OTC medicines and supplements: You can talk to your pharmacist about OTC medicines and supplements that you are considering taking. They can recommend OTC medicines and supplements that will help meet your health goals without interfering with other medicines you take.
Chronic disease management: If you have diabetes, heart disease, or another chronic health condition, your pharmacist can provide advice on the medicines used to treat those conditions and provide information about other resources to help manage your care.
Discounts on medicines: Pharmacists can sometimes find less expensive medicines that are similar to what your doctor prescribed. They can also give you information about discount cards or coupons that are available to help cover the cost of the medicine.
Vaccine administration: Most pharmacies now offer vaccine services – so you don’t have to go to your doctor or clinic to get them. Pharmacists can keep you up to date with seasonal and age-appropriate vaccines as needed.
Here’s what you can do: So, the next time you are picking up medicine at your pharmacy, say “Hi” to your pharmacist. Introduce yourself and learn their first name; no appointment or co-pay needed.
More Safety Articles
Who Keeps the Box?
The pharmacy label on your prescription medicine has important information. It identifies you as the person who will be taking the medicine and tells you how to use your medicine properly and safely. Adding a label to medicines such as tubes of creams, small bottles of liquids or eye drops, and inhalers can be difficult. In these cases, the label is sometimes placed on the outer carton or package that contains the medicine.
Worth Repeating...NEVER Add Water to Powdered Medicine Yourself, Take It Back to the Pharmacy
There have been many cases where oral medicines were given out as a powder instead of being mixed with water into a liquid before leaving the pharmacy. Most of these cases involved antibiotics for children. Sometimes, water was not added to the powder, or not enough water was added. Although we have written about these types of error, we still get reports of these mistakes.
In February, the Chicago Sun Times reported that 16 elementary school children had been taken to local hospitals with a sudden illness. The children were 9- and 10-year olds who began vomiting after eating “mints” given to them by another classmate. It was later found that these “mints” were actually nicotine -replacement lozenges, called NiQuitin Minis ( Figure 1 on page 3). ( NiQuitin is a product from the United Kingdom that is sold online; however, the Nicorette brand made in the US has a similar product.) The classmate found the lozenges at home and brought them to school to share.
.png)