A medications expert

You have certainly wondered at one point or another about what goes on in your pharmacist’s laboratory while you wait for your prescription drugs.

The answer: at that same exact moment, your pharmacist is asking a few questions of his own. The right questions to keep you safe. 

In fact, while preparing your prescription behind the counter, your pharmacist and his staff are performing several checks:

Is the prescription complete and written by an authorized person?

For your security, pharmacists ensure that all essential elements are present in your prescription. In addition, they ensure that prescriptions written by health professionals other than doctors (dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, midwives, etc.) fall within the established scope of each profession’s competence.

Did you know?

Your pharmacist’s daily agenda includes close to:

  • 250 prescriptions
  • 40 customized consultations
  • 10 calls to doctors

Is the medication right for your?

The pharmacist ensures that any new prescribed medications do not belong to a class of drugs that caused you problems in the past: an intolerance, an allergy, a side effect or an adverse reaction.

For example, if you react badly to penicillin, your pharmacist will warn you against similar drugs that may cause the same reaction.

Is the medication contraindicated for other illnesses you suffer from?

There are many combinations of illnesses and contraindications. Your pharmacist is well aware of them and will closely examine your file to make sure that your medications are suited to your personal situation.

For example, if you have diabetes, your pharmacist ensures that any new drugs you are prescribed do not contain sugar.

Could there be interactions with your other medications?

One medication might cancel out the effect of another. It could also increase its toxicity. Your pharmacist is aware of these interactions and keeps this valuable data in your file. This is why you should always go to the same pharmacy.

Is the correct dose being prescribed?

For a medication to be effective, the dose must be appropriate. If the dose is too low, the medication will not have enough of an effect, while too high a dose could be hazardous to your health. Your pharmacist also verifies the dose depending on the condition to be treated and your weight (especially in the case of children).

In short

When you bring a prescription to your pharmacist:

  1. He looks at your file and your medication dosage, contraindications, interactions, etc.;
  2. He confirms information with your doctor where necessary to ensure you receive the right medication;
  3. He enters the required information and sends your claim to your insurer;
  4. He explains to you how to take your medication safely and effectively.
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