What Your Pharmacist Wishes You Knew!

Every Pharmacist's Wish

Here's a quick run down of the top 5 things your pharmacist secretly wishes you knew:

1. That you can trust them. They went to school for several years and are not just tellers or cashiers. They actually studied pharmaceutical sciences including pharmacology and kinda know what they're doing. Whether for over-the-counter products or prescription items they are in a better position to give you accurate sound professional advice. Trust them.

2. They are more than pill counters. Of course counting pills is part of dispensing your medication but that's really the last steps towards issuing your treatment. From the minute your prescription is handed in, pharmacists begin the art of multitasking. They do a quick but thorough scan through first of all to"assess" the correctness of the prescription including if it's valid by law and secondly look at the correctness of the treatment prescribed vs the condition being treated.
All this happens under your unsuspecting nose and so just because they don't mention what they're doing doesn't mean it's not happening.

3. That you can speed up the process and cut down your waiting time by being ready with all relevant cards, prescriptions and information required (by law) before hand. (Also, don't take phone calls while next in line. They need your full attention and must ask important questions.) Its no use staring at the pharmacist while standing in line just to get to the counter and start shuffling through your bag or briefcase. Either way they usually do their best with regards to time. They're not standing there being slow on purpose or delaying the line for fun. Each patient needs is different and waiting times will fluctuate.
Be ready and patient.

4. The pharmacy is not a fast food store. Pharmacists don't appreciate your impatience. In general its rude to rush someone doing their job. When a service is rendered for your benefit, you must realize that it's to your advantage that all the safety precautions are taken to ensure a quality. Don't come in expecting to be out in 5mins. Make allowance for prescription mistakes to be caught and changed Which may involve phone calls to your prescriber or even medical aid provider. Again, it's medicine not pizza. An allergy, a wrong dosage or label could send you to the ER or worse.

5. They are there to help you. Pharmacists are the last member of your health care team. The last professionals you interact with before commencing treatment. Don't rush in to grab something for a runny nose without asking your pharmacist if it will interfere with any other medicine your taking. Advice from family and friends are well meaning but sometimes misguided. There's nothing worse to a pharmacist than giving you advice on a pain pill and you dismissing it because so and so suggested you take something else instead. They are professionals. Trained to help you. Ask them about the correct approach to relieving all your ailments.

There are a lot more things on their list apparently, but if you start with these 5, you'll be sure to get much appreciation from your pharmacist next time you visit the pharmacy.

Brought to you by:
www.pharmers.co.za
#pharmers

Subscribe!