At present, there are around 310,500 pharmacists across the US. These dedicated professionals often work long hours and weekend shifts to provide their patients with easy access to medications and health services.
But there are a lot more ways your local pharmacist can assist you beyond filling your prescriptions and selling you cold medicine.
Ever wondered “what does a pharmacist do?” Or what specialty pharmacy services you might be missing out on? Let’s take at look how your pharmacist can help you lead a healthier life!
1. Assist with Medication Management
Pharmacists spend a lot of their time filling prescriptions. But their pharmaceutical experience means that they can also advise you about the how, when, why, and more about any prescription drugs you might be taking. From potential side effects and contraindications to missed doses and generic alternatives, if you’re ever in doubt about your meds, you should ask these questions for instant clarification.
2. Act as a Patient Advocate
One of the most overlooked but vital pharmacy services is your pharmacist’s ability to act as your advocate. This can involve following up with insurance services, contacting your doctor’s office, obtaining refills, or sharing updates. Since pharmacists are one of the most accessible professionals in the medical community, they’re in a unique position to help you stay healthy and informed.
3. Give Advice on Minor Health Concerns
As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can also offer you clinical advice on the management of minor health concerns such as rashes, coughs, colds, aches, and pains. Their pharmaceutical knowledge allows them to evaluate your symptoms and recommend either OTC medications or that you see a doctor for further analysis.
4. Offer Healthy Living Tips
Like doctors, nurses, and other medical experts, pharmacists have unique insight into the best ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to lower your blood pressure, lose weight, or boost your energy levels, they’ll likely have a host of tips for you. These might include ways to stop smoking, how to avoid injury while exercising, or the importance of drinking plenty of water.
5. Administer Vaccinations
One final way that pharmacists help you stay healthy is by offering you the chance to get vaccinated. While pharmacists have to work under protocols within their state’s guidelines, they’re able to screen for and administer most, if not all, CDC-recommended vaccines. What’s more, they can do it all on the spot with no need for an appointment, and can even bill your insurance company too. Talk about convenient!
How Your Local Pharmacist Can Help You Lead a Healthier Life
What does a pharmacist do? How about almost everything!
As this list shows, there are a bunch of ways your pharmacist can help you lead a healthier life. From offering advice about prescription meds to recommending OTC treatments and healthy living practices, pharmacists are an invaluable medical resource in their local communities.
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