What's Your Pharmacists Name? An Untapped Health Care Resource

The two most important health care professionals you have are your doctor and your pharmacist. Unless you are hospitalized, or undergo surgery, most of your health care will come in the form of products and preparations from your local pharmacy. You know your doctor's name, do you know the name of your pharmacist? Those who do are probably customers of an independently owned pharmacy, an overlooked resource for excellent health care.

While all pharmacists have roughly the same training, a pharmacist in a "big box" store often is supervising the work of technicians. While this is an efficient means of dispensing medications, most patients do not interact with the pharmacist and are not able to readily access their knowledge and experience. In some chains, it is easier to get the retail manager to help you with a cold remedy than the pharmacist or pharmacist technician, and a customer would be fortunate if the pharmacy staff offered to check and make sure there were not any adverse reactions between the over the counter medicine and any prescription medications they are taking.

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Independent pharmacies are typically owned and operated by the same person. Running an independent pharmacy is challenging, but most would tell you that they got into the business to care for people, not just dispense medicine. Independent pharmacists take on the extra burden because they want to provide an extra measure of care than what they can do as a managing pharmacist in a large chain.

I do know the name of my pharmacist, by the way, and like my doctor he knows I am married, work as a webmaster and go to church regularly. I know that if I have a health question I can call him and ask and he cares enough to listen carefully. My pharmacist knows everything you need to know about medicine, but as an experienced health care provider he is familiar with a wide variety of helpful treatments for illnesses or injuries that may not merit a visit to a doctor. A good pharmacist can help with sprains and bruises, with splints and supports. Discuss unexpected fevers or unfamiliar rashes with your pharmacist and they will likely know exactly what to do. Many carry products that make life easier when caring for an aging parent, or can offer counsel on managing chronic illnesses like Diabetes.

Independent pharmacies run by an owner often do specialty work such as compounding. A compounding pharmacist can customize the dosage or delivery method of medications for patients. Women needing hormone replacement therapy often benefit from carefully tailored dosages made possible by compounding pharmacists. Other services include counseling to find better medications for patients who look for a more effective remedy or seek a less expensive alternative to their prescription. In many states, a pharmacist can provide flu and pneumonia shots as well as travel vaccinations for your overseas trip. Your community pharmacist is often a great resource for vitamins, minerals and herbal preparations.

To take full advantage of your pharmacist as a member of your health care team, visit and ask to meet him or her. Talk with them about your health concerns. Pharmacists, like doctors, are bound to treat your personal health information with complete confidence. You can find an independent pharmacy in your neighborhood by running an internet search for pharmacy and your city name.

What's Your Pharmacists Name? An Untapped Health Care Resource

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