If you think that pharmacists just sell medicines and put labels on them, think again. You might be surprised at what pharmacies now offer. Pharmacists are in demand across all areas of health including patient care, product development, and academic research. They have much more to offer like medicine advice, treatment for minor ailments and disease prevention. Here are some of the things that pharmacies can offer.
1. Help With Your Medicines
Pharmacies are a great source of information about medications and can offer advice on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. They can explain what the medicine is for, how it works, what side effects to watch out for and what to do if you are experiencing side effects. They are knowledgeable about over-the-counter drugs that can be used to treat minor ailments.
2. Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles
Pharmacists offer healthy lifestyle advice that covers a variety of topics such as healthy eating, physical activity, losing weight, and quitting smoking. You may also be able to get leaflets and written information to help you make healthier choices. They also take part in local health promotion campaigns such as generic medicines campaign.
3. Minor Ailment Services
Some pharmacies are able to provide treatments for a wide range of common health conditions of minor ailments such as stomach upsets, skin conditions, headache, cough and colds. The pharmacist will be able to assess your needs, suggest appropriate medicines, and refer you to your physician if necessary.
4. Support for Self Care
Pharmacists support people in improving their health and well-being. They want to make sure that you can look after themselves and your families without having to go to a physician all the time. Your pharmacist can do this by giving advice on treating minor ailments or long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes.
5. Health Checks
If you cannot tell if your blood pressure is too high, many pharmacists can check your blood pressure. They can also check your cholesterol level and blood glucose level through a simple finger prick test. Advice about how you can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol level or blood glucose level through lifestyle modification is also on hand to keep them low and stay healthy.
6. Screening
Many pharmacies offer screening tests for Chlamydia and supply the test kits. The result will come back from the lab after a few days. Some pharmacies also offer an allergy-screening test. The pharmacists may take a full allergy history and will advise the patient of how to best reduce the symptoms of a patient’s allergy.
7. Smoking Cessation Programs
Many pharmacies offer stop smoking services and provide nicotine replacement therapy. You will meet your pharmacist who will create a program to help you quit smoking and will track your progress.
Although not all pharmacies offer these services, we cannot deny the fact that the role of pharmacists in healthcare management have expanded. The best thing about the services and consultations that pharmacists offer is that most of them are free. You do not need an appointment; you can just pop in and ask. Pharmacists are always happy to entertain questions and have a quick chat.
1. Help With Your Medicines
Pharmacies are a great source of information about medications and can offer advice on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. They can explain what the medicine is for, how it works, what side effects to watch out for and what to do if you are experiencing side effects. They are knowledgeable about over-the-counter drugs that can be used to treat minor ailments.
2. Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles
Pharmacists offer healthy lifestyle advice that covers a variety of topics such as healthy eating, physical activity, losing weight, and quitting smoking. You may also be able to get leaflets and written information to help you make healthier choices. They also take part in local health promotion campaigns such as generic medicines campaign.
3. Minor Ailment Services
Some pharmacies are able to provide treatments for a wide range of common health conditions of minor ailments such as stomach upsets, skin conditions, headache, cough and colds. The pharmacist will be able to assess your needs, suggest appropriate medicines, and refer you to your physician if necessary.
4. Support for Self Care
Pharmacists support people in improving their health and well-being. They want to make sure that you can look after themselves and your families without having to go to a physician all the time. Your pharmacist can do this by giving advice on treating minor ailments or long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes.
5. Health Checks
If you cannot tell if your blood pressure is too high, many pharmacists can check your blood pressure. They can also check your cholesterol level and blood glucose level through a simple finger prick test. Advice about how you can lower your blood pressure, cholesterol level or blood glucose level through lifestyle modification is also on hand to keep them low and stay healthy.
6. Screening
Many pharmacies offer screening tests for Chlamydia and supply the test kits. The result will come back from the lab after a few days. Some pharmacies also offer an allergy-screening test. The pharmacists may take a full allergy history and will advise the patient of how to best reduce the symptoms of a patient’s allergy.
7. Smoking Cessation Programs
Many pharmacies offer stop smoking services and provide nicotine replacement therapy. You will meet your pharmacist who will create a program to help you quit smoking and will track your progress.
Although not all pharmacies offer these services, we cannot deny the fact that the role of pharmacists in healthcare management have expanded. The best thing about the services and consultations that pharmacists offer is that most of them are free. You do not need an appointment; you can just pop in and ask. Pharmacists are always happy to entertain questions and have a quick chat.