Pharmacy Friends

August 5, 4:10 PMHealth Care ExaminerDoctor Lissa

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Pharmacy Friends

Your new best friend is waiting to meet you.  He or she is down the street and will wait for you to come say, "Hi." for about 8 hours,  5 days a week.  This person should know you on a first name basis, know all about your medical history and know if you're suddenly taking a new drug that interacts with an old one. 

How many of you know the name of at least one pharmacist at the drug store or super store where you have prescriptions filled?  If you don't, make it a point to learn it the next time you're there.  You need a name to develop a personal relationship with this person.  While it may be easier to create a relationship at a small pharmacy rather than a megadrug store, it can be done either place.  Just learn when the pharmacist works and go on that day at the time they're there.

I'm sure you have plenty of friends now, but this one could save your life.  And I bet you can't say that about all of your other friends.  So, let's discuss why this is important:

1. Pharmacist advice is free. 
2. The pharmacist is accessible without an appointment
3. The pharmacist is licensed and often more knowledgeable about drug interactions than your doctor or nurse practitioner
4. The pharmacist sees patients daily who take the same medications you do and listens to their complaints about side effects.-so they can counsel you about ways to avoid them
5. They know which over the counter drugs can help for minor events, such as poison ivy.
6. They get a birds eye view of which medications are effective for the same diagnosis you have and which are not. 
7. They will call the doctor on your behalf if they question the dose, route, or even the drug itself. 
8. They have access to new technology that can answer questions about the newer drugs that your doctor or NP may not have access to.
9. They know what a cheaper alternative may be that is chemically similar
10. They are aware of interactions with herbs and supplements that can alter the prescription you are given.

Remember the words:  free and available without an appointment.  That's rare in health care.

Now I'm sure there are some who think I've got it in for doctors and NPs.  Not so.  But pharmacists know all about drugs.  It's what they do.  Most doctors and nurses, even NPs only take one or two courses on pharmacology in school.  The rest is learned at conferences, in journals, or with drug reps coming by the office, leaving lunch.  But a pharmacist really knows this stuff!

How do you know if the pharmacist has the necessary credentials?  Well, they're usually hanging on the wall somewhere in the pharmacy.  You can call your state board of pharmacy, which oversees and licenses them.  If you call your state's office, you can confirm that your pharmacist is licensed in your state and also if he or she has any disciplinary actions taken against them.  Since the pharmacies are strictly regulated, it would be unlikely that an imposter would be dispensing drugs, but it has happened. 

So what's your task?  Introduce yourself to your local pharmacist (and pharmacy tech), give them a short health history, let them know you shop there regularly and want to be involved in your recovery or your over all health.  Be friendly when you go in.  Set yourself apart from all the other malcontents and complainers who are in line ahead of you.  Don't worry, they'll notice. It's a necessary relationship. And they won't stand you up, ask for money, or leave you at the party like some of your other friends. 

Additional information:  Pharmacy Facts