5 Things That Your Pharmacist Wants You to Know

When filling prescriptions, a pharmacist has a responsibility to you to ensure a safe experience. For instance, it is the pharmacist’s duty to ensure that a patient is receiving the correct prescription medication and to double-check with the doctor if the dosage is unclear. As a patient, it is prudent to be aware of your safety, including what drug expiration dates mean. Here are five things pharmacists want their patients to know:

1. Pharmacists are under a lot of pressure

Due to pharmacies filling numerous prescriptions at the same time, pharmacists are required to do their work very quickly and efficiently. At any given time, a pharmacist may have over 10 prescriptions in process. It is always a wise idea to check your label to ensure that your prescription is the correct one and that you are getting the right dosage.

1. Be patient when your prescription is being filled

We all have limited time in our day, and sometimes patients cannot wait for long periods when stopping at a pharmacy. Pharmacists need to be very thorough at their job, and they must get them done correctly, so a waiting period should be met with some tolerance—especially if you’re also trying to get paper prescriptions from your doctor and compare options.

1. Mornings are the best time to get prescriptions filled

Mornings tend to be less hectic than lunchtime and after-work times. In the mornings, pharmacists usually have more time to assist you in understanding the proper use of your prescription.

1. Inform yourself about all your medication options

Many patients face the choice of either purchasing a brand-name or a generic medication. Brand-name and generic drugs share the same active ingredients, meaning that they have the same effect on your body. Regardless of its availability at your local pharmacy, it is best to inquire about the specific comparisons between the brand-name and generic drug options, and to be mindful of how side-effect warnings affect medication decisions.

1. Do not wait until you completely run out of medication for a refill

It is important to remember that refilling prescriptions is not instant, and you should allow at least a 48-hour notice when you leave a prescription for a fill-up. If you’re considering ordering ahead, it also helps to know how to find a safe online pharmacy before you place an order.