8 important medication questions to ask your pharmacist
Three out of four. That’s the number of consumers who admit they don’t always take their prescriptions as directed.
183,237,833. That's the number of prescriptions filled in Pennsylvania in 2014.
$11,515,975,765. That's the total amount of money Pennsylvania consumers spent just on prescriptions last year.
Three out of four. That's the number of consumers who admit they don't always take their prescriptions as directed.
These mind-boggling figures are a wake-up call to consumers, and should encourage you to be proactive about your medications to ensure you are taking them safely and effectively. This includes saving money at the pharmacy whenever possible.
This month, the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE) celebrates its 30th "Talk About Your Medicines" month, designed to encourage consumers to evaluate their medicines – prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) or herbal.
One great way to be smart about your medicines is to use the expert resource you see most often – your pharmacist. Here are eight questions to ask to ensure you're getting the most out of your medications:
1) What is the name of my medicine and what is it specifically for?
Knowing you take "a little green pill" is not enough information to identify your medicines and can delay treatment in an emergency. As every medication has a different set of instructions and usage, it is important to keep an up-to-date list of your medications with you, the regimen for each and why you take them. Show the list to your healthcare providers at every medical visit to keep them informed about what you are prescribed.
2) How, when and for how long do I take it?
For best results, you must use your medicines properly. Your pharmacist can tell you when and how long to take your medication and provide training and information on how to use it if special skills are required.
If pills are tough to swallow, ask about alternate dosage forms such as liquids or if your medication can be crushed and mixed with food. Also, be sure to ask when the medicine should start working and what to do if you miss a dose.
3) Should I avoid any foods, beverages, other drugs or activities while taking my medicine?
Find out if you should take your medication with food or on an empty stomach, if you can drink alcohol or if the medicine could make you drowsy. It is best not to drive or operate machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
Furthermore, ask about potential drug interactions and duplication because some medications – including OTC and herbal – should not be used together.
4) What are the important side effects and what should I do if they occur?
Make sure you are aware of all significant side effects, how to deal with them and when they should be reported.
5) How should my medicine be stored?
Store medications in their original, childproof containers in a cool, dark, dry place that is locked and out of the reach of children. The same goes for medicines that require refrigeration.
6) What is the best way to dispose of my medication?
Ask your pharmacist about safe drug disposal. Some medication can be disposed of in a sealable plastic bag with something that makes it unappealing to eat, such as dirt or kitty litter, and put in the trash, while others, should be flushed.
Check with your local pharmacy and the public health department about community drug take-back days when you can turn in expired or unused medicines for safe disposal. The Food and Drug Administration also has useful guidelines on drug disposal.
7) Am I receiving the best price on my prescription?
Drug prices can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. Fortunately, there are free resources available, such as the FamilyWize Drug Price Lookup Tool, that allow you to check for the lowest price at different pharmacies in your area. Many of these tools are available online or as an app, making it easy for you to know the price of your prescription before heading to the pharmacy.
In 2014, the FamilyWize Prescription Savings Card saved consumers an average of 42 percent off retail prescription costs.
It should come as no surprise that 70 percent of consumers search for cost-cutting tricks, yet only 18 percent have ever used a prescription savings card, according to FamilyWize.
Although all prescription savings cards have one common goal, they each work differently and have their own requirements. Read the fine print on each card to determine the best option for you, as some cards have eligibility requirements based on age, insurance, location and/or income.
8) Am I maximizing my prescription savings?
There are a number of safe, effective ways to save money on your prescriptions:
First, clean out your medicine cabinet every three months and review the contents with your pharmacist. This will help with the disposal of expired and unused medications, screening for drug interactions and avoiding duplication.
Secondly, ask if a less expensive, equally effective generic product or other substitute for the medication your doctor has prescribed is available. There are a few instances when a generic should not be substituted for its brand equivalent.
Finally, know your insurance. Occasionally, there can be changes in the list of approved drugs that can make your current medication more expensive.
Linda Bernstein, Pharm.D. is a volunteer Clinical Professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco. She is an award-winning pharmacist and medical media communicator who specializes in the education of consumers and patients about the safe, effective and economical use of medicines. She is representing FamilyWize.org during Talk About Your Medicines Month.