After 5 years of practice as a Pharmacist, i will love to share some knowledge with you. What you need to know about Pharmacists and what to expect from Pharmacists.
Who Are Pharmacists?
Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.
If symptoms suggest it's something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example they will tell you if you need to see a Medical Doctor or go for a medical Test.
All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines, that's Bachelor in Pharmacy (B. Pharm). However some are trained for 6 years, that's Doctorate in Pharmacy (Pharm D). Pharmacists are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice. Many community pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You don't need an appointment – you can just walk in. Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Pharmacists can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Services That Pharmacists And Pharmacies Provide
√ Dispensing of Hospital prescriptions
√ Access to the repeat prescription service
√ An emergency supply of medicine (subject to the decision of the pharmacist)
√ Non-prescription medicines like paracetamol
√ Advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living
√ Help you with Inhaler Technique
√ How to take a medicine safely
√ Helping you understand the correct dose of a new medicine and how often you need to take it.
Repeat Prescriptions
If you're regularly prescribed the same medicine, your Medical Doctor may offer a prescription that can be repeated several times. You choose which pharmacy you would prefer to collect your prescriptions from.
You'll then be able to collect your repeat medicines directly from the pharmacy you have chosen until your doctor needs to review your treatment. This means fewer trips to your Medical Doctor just to get another prescription.
If you are using this service, you will need to contact your chosen pharmacy a few days before you run out of medicine to ask for a new prescription and find out when it will be ready.
As part of this service, the pharmacist will ask if you're having any problems or side effects with your prescription medicines and, where appropriate, they can discuss this with you and your Doctor.
Minor Illnesses
Pharmacies can give treatment advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as:
√ Aches and pains
√ Sore throat
√ Coughs, colds and flu
√ Earache
√ Cystitis
√ Skin rashes
√ Teething
√ Red eye
If you want to buy an over-the-counter medicine, the pharmacist and their team can help you choose. Antibiotics will not be available over the counter to treat minor conditions.
New Medicine Service
New Medicine Service is available at pharmacies to give you extra help and advice if you're just starting on a new medicine for one of the following conditions:
√ Asthma
√ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
√ Type 2 diabetes
√ High blood pressure
√ People who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine
Disposing of Old Medicines
If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over after you have stopped taking it, don't put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet. Instead, take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.
Other Pharmacy Services
Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy:
√ Emergency contraception
√ Asthma inhaler use and advice
√ Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar testing
√ Weight management service
√ Vaccination
Out-of-hours service
Many pharmacies offer extended opening hours in the evenings and at weekends. Some are open until midnight or even later, even on public holidays.
Trust you are enlightened. Feel free to comment, ask questions and share with your friends. You can also check out our home page for different write ups on healthy living.
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