Pharmacists, More Than Just Pill Dispensers

St. John's University's Pharmacists during American Pharmacists Month in October 2010

We often take our local pharmacist for granted without realizing that pharmacists are your best resource for healthcare advice when you don't have the time or the money for a doctor's appointment. The pharmacist is there to help you with your daily life by assisting you with your medication therapy, helping you select the right over-the-counter products, and informing you on how to avoid drug complications.

They are your local drug expert who will make sure that you know everything that you need to know when taking supplements or medications so that you are well on your way to achieving your health goals.

Possible Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist:
http://www.upmc.com/patients-visitors/education/older-adults/pages/questions-all-patients-should-ask-pharmacist.aspx

What Your Pharmacist Is Responsible For:

• Quality of medicines supplied to patients
• Ensuring that the supply of medicines is within the law
• Ensuring that the medicines prescribed to patients are suitable
• Advising patients about medicines, including how to take them, what reactions may occur and answering patients' questions

Things Your Pharmacist Do:

• Supervise the medicines supply chain and ensure pharmacy premises and systems are fit for purpose
• Advise other healthcare professionals about safe and effective medicines use
• Respond to patients' symptoms and advise on medicines for sale in pharmacies
• Provide services to patients, such as smoking cessation, blood pressure measurement and cholesterol management
• Administer immunizations to patients in states where they are allowed to do so
• Provide Medication Therapy Management (MTM) service for eligible patients covered by medicare 

Source of Information: http://www.pharmacyregulation.org/raising-concerns/raising-concerns-about-pharmacy-professional/what-expect-your-pharmacy/what-does-0