April 19, 2005 Hello! Pharmacists are those
people that you go to when your doctor writes a prescription that
you need filled. Right? Pharmacists are, "Those persons legally
qualified by education and training to engage in the practice
of pharmacy." Pharmacy is, "The
art or practice of preparing and preserving drugs, and of compounding
and dispensing medicines according to prescriptions of physicians;
the occupation of an apothecary or a pharmaceutical chemist." Pharmacists know what the medicines do, and how to prepare them for you. What else do they know? What else do they do? "Patient education
and self-management behavioral change are underpinnings of pharmaceutical
care, and not only as they directly relate to the use of medications.
Pharmacists, especially those who are certified diabetes educators
(CDEs), frequently provide diabetes patients with education not
only on medications, but also on the overall disease state, nutrition,
physical activity, decision-making skills, psychosocial adaptation,
complication prevention, goal setting, barrier resolution, and
cost issues." So, you don't have diabetes, and you are sure that the pharmacist who works at your local pharmacy is just a regular one. You may be thinking: "Why Should I Talk
to My Pharmacist? Your pharmacist knows how the medicines work, how they work together, and which ones you don't want to take because they might now work with another medicine you are taking. They also know what medicines might not work with any alternative medicines you are taking, and even which ones might not work as well with your lifestyle -- and which ones might work better. If you forget to mention something during your doctor's appointment, or feel that you ran out of time, talk to your pharmacist. If it is an issue that affects your treatment, s/he can work with your doctor to make any necessary changes to your prescription. That said: "Always follow your
doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. ... Some things you need to talk with your doctor about. But what about when you can't reach your doctor? What about when you wake up at three in the morning with a fever of 103* F? What about the cough that won't let you sleep but isn't worth a trip to the emergency room? What if you are out of the country and don't know how to find a local doctor -- or if you really need to see one? For example, let's say you find yourself in the United Kingdom... "Some pharmacies
in Caversham can provide advice and treatment on a range of conditions,
including minor ailments and chronic disease. The pharmacists
can prescribe medicines for the following conditions: coughs and
colds, diarrhoea and vomiting, conjunctivitis, hay fever, thrush,
cystitis, ..." Even if you are not planning to leave the country, pharmacists can provide more information than some might think. "In addition to
these substantial education responsibilities, advanced practice
pharmacists who are Board CertifiedˆAdvanced Diabetes Managers
(BC-ADMs) play an expanded role that encompasses disease state
management. This includes performing clinical assessments and
limited physical examinations; recognizing the need for additional
care; making referrals as needed; ordering and interpreting specific
laboratory tests; integrating their pharmacy patient care plans
into patients‚ total medical care plans; and entering notes
on patient charts or carrying out other forms of written communication
with patients‚ medical care providers. Depending on state
regulations and physician-based protocols, some advanced practice
pharmacists can prescribe and adjust medications independently
or after consultation with prescribing clinicians." Depending on where you live, you may have a 24 hour pharmacy, or one that is open from nine to five. Some things need to be treated and seen by a doctor, but some things can be dealt with by using the right over-the-counter medication; pharmacists are available for consult whenever the pharmacy is open. Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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