Pharmacies are popular and everyone knows this. In fact, over 50% of all prescriptions are filled at pharmacies. As much time as you spend in the pharmacy, you would think you know all there is to know, but this might not be the case. Here are a few pointers that you might not have known about pharmacies, but will be glad you know now.
Medicinal Issues
Many people think that a pharmacist only fill prescriptions and bottles full of pills and nothing else. This is not the case. Pharmacies play a much larger role in your health and well-being. Sometimes doctors prescribe medications which could interact with other medications, or they prescribe the wrong dosage. Pharmacists in pharmacies prevent these mistakes from ever going past the counter.
Doctor’s Scribble
Have you ever tried to read the prescription that your doctor wrote for your? Does it ever seem like it is written in Greek? Medical professionals are not know for the neatest handwriting and it is just as hard for your pharmacist to figure out what it says as it is for you. When you drop a prescription off at your local pharmacy, a lot more goes into filling it than you might think.
Best Time to Fill
Mornings are considered the best time for anyone to fill prescriptions. Chain pharmacies admit that there are many distractions during the day that slow down the process. Doctors calls to the pharmacy and pharmacy calls to the doctor slow down the process of filling prescriptions. Another important tip is to call the pharmacy of your choice to ensure that you prescription is ready before going to pick it up. This can reduce stress of standing in line just to find out there was a problem and your medicine could not be filled.
Patience is Appreciated
Having patience when filling your prescription is important. Sometimes when you get told it will be ready in 15 minutes, it is not ready. Instead of getting made or upset pharmacists wish that you would understand that there is a specific process that must be followed to ensure your safety. Giving the wrong medicine could have dire consequences and we do not want that. Our job is to help you get better, not make you more sick. Patience is always appreciated when it comes to your well-being.
Prices are Not Our Control
Many medications are expensive and there is just no way to get around it sometimes. Many times patients believe that we are the ones that set the prices for prescriptions. That is not the case. The pharmacist is not responsible for any prices, they are solely responsible for filling medicine. Many customers are not aware of who determines the prices, but pharmacies are the first ones to get blamed.
Refill in Advance
Doctors are busy, and sometimes they cannot tend to your needs at the drop of a dime. This means that you may call the doctor for a refill one day and not get a call back until the following day. There is no guarantee that you can get a refill the same day that you inform the doctor that you need a refill. Letting the doctor know that you need a refill a week in advance can help alleviate some of the stress of not having it ready when you need it.
Online Medicine is Not Safe
Medications online may be cheaper and more convenient, but that does not mean they are safe. Side effects may not be noticed, and dosage issues could arise. Getting medicine from your pharmacist offers you the chance to get face to face advice and guidance. It also offers that chance to double check for interactions or anything your doctor might have missed.
Pharmacists do not just fill prescriptions. 76% of independent pharmacies compound medicine for their patients. This means you know exactly what you are getting when you pick up your medicine. Next time you stop into your pharmacy, in addition to having more patience for what they go through, try thanking them for their job. They work hard to ensure your continued health day to day.