September 15, 2008
Pharmacists help patients use medicines safely and effectively
Patients with questions about their medications don't have to worry about where to get information. Pharmacists are their best and most accessible medication experts.
A dialogue between the patient and pharmacist about any prescription and nonprescription medicines being taken will ensure that maximum health benefits are received and harmful side effects avoided.
Pharmacists can provide patients with answers to questions that might arise from the myriad of online health information. Your pharmacist knows about interactions with food, medicines, or dietary supplements that can effect how medicines work. Some interactions can be dangerous. When picking up a new medicine, ask if it will work safely with other prescription and nonprescription medicines you may be taking. Tell your pharmacist about any herbal products that you may be using, as well.
Following the pharmacist's advice can also save money for patients and help lower the nation's health care bill by ensuring proper medication use. Not following a medicine's instructions or discontinuing its use without consulting with your health care provider can lead to more expensive treatment, such as surgery or hospitalization.
"When the patient keeps the pharmacist up-to-date on all prescription and nonprescription medications being taken and asks important questions, the pharmacist can monitor the patient's treatment and help guarantee a healthy result," said Melanie Gibson, YKHC Pharmacist.
"With the array of complex and effective medications now available, it's more important than ever that Americans know their pharmacist is there to help them improve their medication use," said Timothy Tucker, a pharmacist and President of the American Pharmacists Association. "Patients can help manage their own care by reading the label, knowing the active ingredient in their medications, and if they have questions, asking their pharmacist. Their pharmacist also can help them understand how to best store medications in the home and what medications they as a consumer should have on hand. Their pharmacist will be glad to advise on restrictions on use after a medication reaches its expiration date, as well as to make recommendations on proper disposal of expired medications."
"The pharmacist is no longer simply a dispenser of drugs, and the pharmacy itself has become a health care center," said Dr, John Gans, CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). "Pharmacists are actively changing their practices to meet the challenges of the health care system and their patients' needs and demands."
APhA says that patients should expect a higher level of service from today's pharmacists. Patients should look to their pharmacists to provide medication-counseling services, including drug regimen reviews and drug interaction checks, coordination of patient care with physicians and other health care providers, and monitoring of side effects. So remember that when you have a question, problem, or even just a curiosity about medications, look around! You are not ever very far from a practicing pharmacist.
Please join us in observing National Hospital and Health System Pharmacy Week: October 19-25
National Hospital & Health-System Pharmacy Week acknowledges the invaluable contributions that pharmacists and technicians make to patient care in our nation's health care institutions. It is an ideal time for pharmacy departments to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements in ensuring safe and effective medication use in their institutions and to share those accomplishments with patients, other health professionals, and the community.
