Retail - How to Choose a Pharmacist

If you're like most people, you didn't choose a pharmacist; you chose a pharmacy for your medication needs. In between doctor visits, your pharmacist can be an important resource for you. This is especially true if you are using multiple medications or need help with products such as blood glucose meters, asthma inhalers, or other special care items.

• Does the pharmacist take time to answer your questions in a manner that you understand?
• Does the pharmacist tell you about each new medication and explain such things as how and when to take the medication and what you can and cannot take with it? (read more)

  How to Read a Prescription

  
  

  Most prescriptions are made up of Latin abbreviations. The following is a short list of some of the more common ones and what they mean:
  
  

  I - one		prn - as needed or if needed
  II - two		pc - after a meal
  III - three		ac - before a meal
  IV - four		as - left ear
  QD - take once a day		ad - right ear
  BID - take two times a day		ou - both eyes
  TID - take three times a day		od - right eye
  QID - take four times a day		os - left eye
  po - take by mouth		tsp - teaspoonful
  q12h - take every 12 hours		ml - milliliter
  q4-6h - take every 4		1 tsp = 5 ml
  to 6 hours		1 tbs = 15 ml

• Does the pharmacist recommend vitamins or supplements to take or tell you which ones you should NOT take with your prescriptions?
• Does the pharmacist have any special training in disease management, such as being a certified diabetes educator?
• Does the pharmacist offer you specialty compounding services for any of your unique medication needs?
• Does the pharmacist assist you in choosing the proper over the counter medications?
• Does the pharmacist show concern for you and your family?

If your current pharmacist doesn't meet your needs or doesn't take the necessary time to make sure that you understand your medications, visit other pharmacies. Ask if the pharmacist has any special services they can offer you such as demonstrating a new inhaler or blood glucose monitor, as well as, providing you flu and shingles immunizations.

Where your family pharmacist works should also be an important consideration when deciding where your medication needs are going to take place. Most people taking medications visit a pharmacy monthly and should consider several factors when choosing which pharmacy to patronize.

Convenience is an important issue with all of the time pressures that people feel these days. The pharmacy should be in a convenient location with convenient parking nearby. If you are unable to get to the pharmacy, the pharmacy should make sure that your prescriptions are mailed to your home or delivered to your home or work. Having the ability to open a charge account or have a credit card kept on file for charging prescriptions is a convenient feature, especially when you are on a trip or someone else is picking up the prescription for you.

The pharmacy may offer special services that set them apart from the other pharmacies. You might be interested in special packaging to make it easier to remember to take your medications. If you have diabetes, finding a pharmacy that can demonstrate several glucose monitors to find which one works best for you can make testing your blood sugar easier. Some pharmacies also have the ability to “download” the readings from your diabetes monitor and print them out for you. This log will help both you and your doctor to determine how to control and treat your diabetes.

Look for a pharmacy that offers a private counseling area so you can ask personal questions without being overheard. Other conveniences that should be taken into account include a toll-free phone number to use if you live out-of-town or are on vacation. Ordering refills over the internet is something that many progressive pharmacies now offer. Many times, you can also look up health information on the pharmacies’ web site as well.

It’s a good idea to get all your prescriptions filled at a single pharmacy. The pharmacy keeps a complete medication profile on you. These profiles record all medications that you are taking, health problems, and drug allergies that you have told your pharmacist about. By going to one pharmacy, your pharmacist will be able to continuously update your patient profile- making sure all the information is accurate. This will help avoid problems that occur when some medications are mixed.

When deciding on a pharmacist, first see if you can find one that is easy to talk to, shows concern, and is able to explain your healthcare needs. Second, consider the specialty services they offer which enhance your specific needs.