Have you ever wondered if there was a simpler way of maintaining your medical condition and prescriptions without making an appointment with your doctor? The answer could be right under your nose!

Pharmacists provide a wide range of healthcare services for their patients that you may not be aware of. Instead of waiting for a doctor’s appointment every time you need help, drop-in to your local pharmacy and ask if it’s a service your pharmacist can assist with. 

Recently, the BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) ran a campaign that explored many of the additional services that pharmacists can provide. Here are some lesser known healthcare services that you can accomplish at your pharmacist. 

Adaptations

A major service that pharmacists provide is adaptations of prescriptions. If you feel your prescription needs to be adjusted, a pharmacist can change your medication from a tablet to liquid, renew and refill your prescription or offer a therapeutic substitution so you can get back to your life — no more stressing about not being able to see your regular doctor right away. 

Pharmacists are held to specific professional standards, otherwise known as the Seven Fundamentals of Adapting, when it comes to making adjustments to a patient’s prescription. 

These include:

1. Individual Competence — Before dispensing medication, the pharmacist must have professional knowledge and a competent understanding of the condition and drug being dispensed

2. Appropriate Information — Pharmacists must have sufficient knowledge of patient’s health status to understand the outcome of an adaptation to their medication

3. Prescription — Must have the new/original prescription that is current, authentic, and appropriate (not expired) on hand

4. Appropriateness of adaptation — Pharmacists determine the necessity of adaptation and must not adapt a prescription to narcotics, controlled drugs, target substances or for expired prescriptions

5. Informed consent — Oral, written or inferred consent to a pharmacist is admissible, although written is the best option. Consent must be collected before adapting a prescription. Pharmacists must consult the representative of adults who cannot consent for themselves, and for minors, it’s up to the pharmacist’s discretion that the minor truly understands everything about the adaptation

6. Documentation — The creation of an accurate record of all adaptations that relate to the original prescription and include references to any and all previous adaptations is mandatory

7. Notification to other healthcare professionals — Pharmacists must notify the original prescriber and general practitioner (if applicable) as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of dispensing

Because of these, you can be confident knowing that your pharmacist will understand your condition and medical history while being able to determine the best adaptation of your prescription. They will not administer an adaptation to a patient’s medication if they do not deem it necessary.

Other services

Additionally, pharmacists can offer a variety of other services for things such as emergencies, vaccinations and medical evaluations. You might be amazed at how much you can get accomplished at your pharmacist. Simply ask what other services they provide. 

Emergencies

Emergencies such as refills for your prescriptions and contraception concerns can be handled at your pharmacy. Instead of waiting for an appointment with your doctor, you can accomplish these quickly and safely with your pharmacist.

Vaccinations

If you’re heading out on a vacation and have questions about travel medicine or whether or not you need any vaccinations, be sure to ask your pharmacist which vaccinations they offer. At Lakeside Pharmacy, we provide a variety of vaccinations and accept drop-ins — no appointment necessary depending on the type of vaccination. 

With the flu season getting underway, it’s important for you to get vaccinated for the influenza virus. Because influenza can be devastating to young children, pregnant women, seniors and those with weakened immune systems, it’s imperative that everyone gets vaccinated to slow down this highly contagious, respiratory infection.

Evaluations

For medication reviews, diabetes coaching and smoking cessation, your pharmacist can provide you with invaluable information and solutions to help you stay healthy. Pharmacists also provide pharmacogenomics, the study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs, to provide the best healthcare services and advice for your medical situation. 

We can help

At Lakeside Pharmacy, we believe in the power of information. From teaching and helping our patients through their medical condition, to providing them with the best solutions so they can live healthier lives, our highly trained pharmacists truly care about the wellbeing of everyone that comes through our doors. Instead of waiting for a doctor’s appointment, come to Lakeside Pharmacy and let us know how we can help you today.