We can all pull a list of some of the lawful, common duties that are required to be performed by a pharmacist in a retail setting, but what about those extra miles that go unnoticed, unspoken of and unwritten?
Here's a break down of just 6:
*They are babysitters: Mostly to certain identified less than careful GPs (some interns and/or weirdos) who often let a lot of basic mistakes slide in their prescriptions. Imagine phoning for dosages, directions or dates?! The validity of a script is one thing, but some errors are more fatal than others of course... thankfully your pharmacist is their to double check those discrepancies and save your life! They have to call, email, follow up, adjusting doses and rectifying drug mistakes or drug interactions. If you ever have a treatment concern or a question your pharmacist is the first person to ask.
*They are health care "bouncers": To ensure safety for patients, pharmacists monitor use of all medication. They are often shouted for refusing to refill expired prescriptions, early refills or excessive OTC purchases, but it's for patients' own good. Codeine abuse for example can only be curved by strict one item per patient enforcing rules. Let them responsibly safeguard your drug intake.
*They are life coaches: When patients have difficulties (even personal) they usually rant and ramble at the counter. Fortunately there's a pharmacist with a listening ear ready to indulge and advise that patient as best they can (esp when time allows). Both in a professional but empathetic manner. They get stopped at the grocery store, at the bank and pretty much anywhere in their community to answer pertinent personal questions and give guidance. When you have no one else to go to, pour out your heart to your pharmacist, they really care.
*They are multipurpose jugglers: Whether its your specialist, your medical aid, your GP or your dentist, pharmacists plat a key role in co ordinations with other health care practitioners. Between phone calls, prescriptions, compounding, emails, and counselling; their juggling game is strong. They also know about unusual things not necessarily pertaining to the pharmacy. They sometimes go the extra mile to book appointments and make sure you are on track with your next check up.
*They are your advocate & supporter: They really care for your treatment adherence and outcomes. So much so that they often break the rules to help their patients obtain medicine or treatment promptly. They borrow, lend, and outsource all sorts of medication to ensure patients have their supply. Sometimes procedure will take days to be approved, but trust your pharmacist to make miracles happen. They are also known to supporting your wallet by saving you some coins on your medicines bills. They know what's on special, which generics to substitute and how to make your Rands go further. Some have even made personal home deliveries outside of work hours.
*Some are even magicians: The most unforeseen circumstances may occur where medicine is unavailable but your trusted pharmacist will make it appear in your dispensary ready for you to take home. They will mix, extract, compound and manipulate drugs in order to achieve the desired outcome but if the drug isn't even registered in the country, they are known to pull strings, obtain favours and deliveries from suppliers at the drop of a hat. When your medical aid refuses to pay for certain medicine under certain conditions, they have a few tricks up their sleeves that could work too. Marvel at their prowess.
There's a lot more that goes on behind the counter all for the sake of PATIENTS well being and there s nothing (almost) a pharmacist wouldn't do for their patient. Appreciate all the effort because most of it is definitely out of their scope.
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