Pharmacy Safety and Service

What can you expect from your pharmacy?

Your pharmacist plays an important part in the process of prescription medication use.  Their job is to make sure your medicine is dispensed as the doctor has prescribed, that the dosage is correct and to double check to see if the drug is safe to take with other medicines that you may be taking.  The pharmacy system of checks and double checks is designed to optimize the safety of patients.

Your part of the process is to take your medication as directed by your physician.

When dropping off prescriptions or requesting refills:

• Inform your pharmacist of all medications and over-the-counter drugs that you take, including vitamins, herbal remedies etc.  Pharmacists have references that identify potential drug interactions.
• Confirm with the pharmacy your correct and current pharmacy benefit information, allergies, drug intolerances, and phone number.
• Call ahead for refills. You can expect to have your prescription ready if you call to refill 24 hours ahead of time.
• Find out how many refills you can get. Make sure that your physician has provided enough refills until your next visit.

When picking up your medication at the pharmacy:

• Confirm that the drug is correct. Examine the label for the name and dosage of the drug.
• Open the bottle and look at the medication to confirm that medication is printed with the correct drug name and strength.  Learn what your medications look like.
• Liquids usually have a distinct scent. Learn to recognize your liquid medication by smell and color.
• Pediatriac medications are at high risk for dosage errors. Most drugs’ dosages are based on weight. Confirm that your child’s medication is correct based on your child’s weight.

Get to know about your medications:
Make sure you know the following about your medications. 

• Reason that you are taking the medication?
• Names of your medication – both “brand” name and generic name
• What will the medicine do?
• What are the instructions for taking the medicine?  How many times a day? How much at one time? How long to continue taking the medication? How to take the medicine (with water or juice) and When to take the medication (before or after meals)
• What can you expect from the medication – how will it make you feel?
• Possible side effects of the medication?
• How you should store the medication?
• How can you get refills of the medication?

It is important to keep a list of your medications and times of the day that you take each.  This drug list and schedule of dosages is critical in keeping your medications organized.  Ask your pharmacist to review your medication list and schedule.

Click here for a "Medication Log" to track your medications