Seven things your pharmacist could do for you

Clinical Services Department MC-21

Seven things your pharmacist could do for you

Seven things your pharmacist coulddo for you

Save you a trip to the doctor

Pharmacists know how drugs act and interact in the body. They are experts regarding medication choice and side effects and they know how to work with health insurers on behalf of their patients. Their mission is to ensure each patient receivesthe right drug treatment at the right time; that the drug is safe, effective and affordable; and that the patient is willing and able to take the medication.

1 2 3Be there in an emergency

The community pharmacist will be among the first health care professionals responding to a public health emergency declaration, and the first health care practitioners to respond when the local public health department makes a declaration of emergency status. Take for example COVID19, our pharmacy staff are on the front line serving all patients even if they suspect are infected or not. Even though this puts the entire staff at risk, pharmacists who serve as essential emergency responders may be requested to help with triage functions, work with other pharmacists and volunteer to dispense hundreds, or perhaps thousands of medications. Specially in COVID19, pharmacists in any setting whether community, hospital, pharmacy benefit manager, among others, play a critical role in addressing medication shortage and securing continuity of care of the medication or alternatives. As immunization licensed professionals, pharmacists will be accessible to vaccinate once vaccine is available. In some states, where it is permitted, pharmacist participate in point-of-care stations where they administer COVID 19 test.

Achieve a better quality of life

You do not need to make an appointment with the pharmacist when you are sick or need medication. The pharmacist can advise and help you lead a better lifestyle, regardless of your health situation. For example, the pharmacist can help a client change his life by giving advice and a healthy nutritional guide. That may include exercise and natural dietary supplements that can help with weight control, and thus help cholesterol and/or blood sugar levels.

Seven things your pharmacist could do for you

Help tackle critical illnesses

Pharmacist not only help us with daily prescriptions, but they can also play an important role in helping people combat life-threatening conditions. An intensive care specialist pharmacist, for instance, provides expert pharmaceutical care for patients with critical illness in hospitals, and are responsible for redesigning care pathways to ensure safe, effective and economic medications use.

4 5 6Monitor and improve medicines over time

Dispensing and monitoring medications is complex, that's why it's so important to have a pharmacist who can monitor your prescriptions over time and alert you when they think changes should be made. They also build relationships with prescribers and work together to make clinical recommendations, follow through with drug treatments and adjust accordingly if needed.

Empower

Perhaps the greatest work that pharmacists does is inspire trust in people through education and encouragement, allowing them to take control of their bodies and help to combat certain conditions head-on.

Work to promote clinically sound, cost-effective medication therapy and positive therapeutic outcomes

Pharmacists have a central role in ensuring medication safety across the continuum of care. Their involvement has been shown that help to reduce errors, improve prescribing practices, and enhance patient monitoring across settings. Moreover, pharmacist constantly work on other essential medication-related tasks like identifying patient assistance programs or working with health insurers to make medications available that otherwise patients could not afford, improving adherence and safety.

7