Improving Your Trip to the Pharmacy
Tips to Make Your Pharmacy Visit Better for You and Your Pharmacist
Feb 25, 2009
Having to visit the pharmacy is one of life's unpleasant, but necessary tasks. If you're well, lingering among possibly contagious people while waiting on a refill seems unbearable. And if you are ill, patience is certain to be at a minimum. More than anything, you just want to get your medicine and go home. You wonder how hard it could be to fill a simple prescription.
It's harder than you might think. Pharmacists do more than just dispense medicine. They are consummate professionals assuming the roles of information provider, safety officer, health counselor, and insurance agent. Besides the careful attention the pharmacist must devote to each prescription, there are a variety of factors affecting your pharmacy visit.
Many of them—inventory, pricing, and client volume—are beyond your control. However, there are a few things you can do to improve your overall pharmacy experience, insure your safety, and perhaps decrease your wait time.
Select One Pharmacy for All of Your Medication Needs
It is a smart and safe practice to fill all your prescriptions at one pharmacy or within one chain of stores. Doing so has dual benefit. First, it's the safest choice, as that pharmacy or chain will maintain records on all your current and past medications, and will be better able to screen for any safety issues, such as drug interactions or allergies. Second, it allows you to build a personal relationship with your pharmacy team, making it easier for you to approach them with questions or concerns.
Learn Everything You Can About Your Medication
Familiarize yourself with the names, doses, and appearance of all your medications. Learn the uses and common side effects of each. Make sure you understand why your physician has prescribed a particular drug. Much of this information can be obtained from your doctor, pharmacy, or via an Internet search. Accept any counseling offered by the pharmacist and don't be afraid to ask questions. Also, make certain the pharmacist is aware of any drug allergies you have. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends taking an active role in your drug therapy as one of the best ways to reduce medication errors.
Know Your Prescription Insurance Plan
There are a number of prescription insurance plans available in the US. Although pharmacists may be familiar with some, they cannot know the details of every plan. Many insurance companies operate under a formulary, which is a list of drugs they prefer a patient use. Being aware of formularies, and the benefits and limitations of your own plan can help save time and money.
Be Prepared When You Enter the Pharmacy
Have personal information ready and present any insurance materials at the time of prescription drop-off. Try not to be distracted by telephone or other conversations when approaching the counter, and give the pharmacist or pharmacy employee your full attention. This will ease communication and speed the process for everyone.
Take Advantage of Refill Services
Most retail pharmacies have automated phone or Internet systems that allow customers to order refills prior to pick-up. Some stores even offer automatic monthly refills on request. Using services like these can help reduce time spent at the pharmacy. If your prescription is out of refills, contact your physician. The pharmacist may call for you as well, but a direct call from you may speed the return process.
Combine Visits to the Pharmacy With Other Errands
Pharmacies can be found inside discount and grocery stores or nestled in shopping centers and strip malls. Choose one convenient to you and use any wait-time to run other errands. Grab some groceries, visit the post office, or fetch your dry cleaning. Many pharmacies also have drive-thru windows for prescription drop-off and pick-up. Using the drop-and-go technique is a great way to save time. Take care not to abuse the drive-thru, however. Try to limit window transactions to dropping-off and picking-up unless disability or extreme illness prevents it.
Compare Prices With Other Stores
Remember, it is a good practice to use one pharmacy, whether you have insurance or pay cash. However, if you are a cash customer, it's often acceptable (and a good idea) to call other pharmacies to obtain pricing information. Many stores will be willing to match a cash price quoted by another pharmacy, in the interest of retaining loyal customers. Use this unwritten policy to your advantage.
A visit to the pharmacy needn't be troublesome or stressful. By arming yourself with knowledge, planning ahead, and following a few more simple guidelines, you can help make this necessary errand a little less unpleasant for you and for your pharmacy team.
