Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Home

Header Top Menu

  • Careers
  • Investors
  • News
    • Press Release Archive
    • Press Statements
    • Podcasts
      • The Antigen Podcast
      • Get Science Podcast
      • Diverse Perspectives Podcast
      • menopause: unmuted
    • Contact Media Relations
    • Press Kits & Downloads
      • Company Press Kit
      • Pfizer Oncology Press Kit
      • PSA Narrative
      • RA NarRAtive
      • Rare Disease Gene Therapy Press Kit
      • ATTR-Amyloidosis Press Kit
      • UC Narrative
      • Eczema Inside Out Press Kit
  • Partners
    • Discovery to Pre-candidate
      • Focus Areas
        • Therapeutic Areas
          • Internal Medicine
          • Inflammation and Immunology
          • Oncology
          • Rare Disease
          • Vaccines
        • Therapeutic Modalities and Technology Platforms
          • Drug Safety
          • Gene Therapy
          • Target Sciences
          • Precision Medicine
          • Medicinal Sciences
            • Biologics Product & Process Development
            • Biotherapeutics Discovery
            • Medicine Design
            • Small Molecule Product & Process Development
        • Emerging Science
          • DNA Damage Response
          • Microsatellite Repeat Expansions
          • Senescence
      • Partnering Models
    • Candidate Through Commercialization
      • Focus Areas
        • Internal Medicine
        • Inflammation and Immunology
        • Oncology
        • Rare Disease
        • Vaccines
        • Hospital
    • Pfizer CentreOne
    • Pfizer Ventures
      • Our portfolio

Healthcare Professionals

  • Healthcare Professionals

Connect with Us

  • Connect with Us
    • Email
    • FAQ
    • Privacy Policy (NEW)
    • YouTube
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
  • Your Health

    • Healthy Living
      • Brain & Nervous System
      • Cardiovascular Health
      • Cold & Flu
      • Digestive Health
      • Healthier Aging
      • Living Tobacco Free
      • Men’s Health
      • Mental Health
      • Nutrition & Fitness
      • Pediatric Health
      • Respiratory Health
      • Skin Health
      • Vaccines & Prevention
      • Women’s Health

    • Disease & Condition
      • Cancer
      • Cardiovascular Diseases & Conditions
      • Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders
      • Immune System Diseases & Conditions
      • Infections & Infectious Diseases
      • Neurological Diseases & Conditions
      • Menopause
      • Rare Disease
      • Vaccine-Related Conditions
      • Skin Diseases & Conditions
      • Atopic Dermatitis

    • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

    • Managing your health
      • Caregiving
      • Evaluating Health Information
      • Tracking Your Health
      • Your Medicines
      • Health Literacy

    • Wellness
    Hot Topics

    Maintaining Emotional Well-Being During COVID-19

    Emotional Well-Being Tips for People Living with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions During COVID-19
  • Our Science

    • Driven to Discover the cure

    • Focus Areas
      • Internal Medicine
      • Inflammation & Immunology
      • Oncology
      • Rare Disease
      • Vaccines
      • Anti Infectives

    • Product Pipeline

    • Clinical Trials
      • Guide to Clinical Trials
      • Find a Trial
      • Expanded Access & Compassionate Use
      • Clinical Trials in Children
      • Partnering with Pfizer
      • Trial Data & Results
      • Research Integrity & Transparency
      • Diversity in Clinical Trials

    • R&D Platforms
      • Biosimilars
      • Gene Therapy
      • Medicinal Sciences
      • Precision Medicine
      • Maternal Immunization

    • Collaboration
      • Partner with Pfizer

    • Research sites

    • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Scientific Resources
    HOT TOPICS

    MRNA VS. CONVENTIONAL VACCINES

    What Makes an RNA Vaccine Different From a Conventional Vaccine?
  • Our People

    • Meet The Experts
      • Scientists
      • Internal Medicine – Metabolic Disease
      • Inflammation & Immunology
      • Oncology
      • Rare Disease
      • Vaccines
      • Medical Professionals

    • The Journey

    • Leadership
      • Executives
      • Board Members
      • Company Fact Sheet

    • Diverse Perspectives
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Supplier Diversity
    HOT TOPICS

    Meet our new Chief Patient Officer, Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron

    dr_richardson_300x170.jpg

    Working Together to Empower Women

    VizagWomen_300x170.jpg

    • Hot Topics
  • Our Purpose

    • Commitment to Global Health
      • Expanding Access
      • Strengthening Health Systems
      • Providing Disaster & Humanitarian Relief
      • Unleashing the Power of Our Colleagues
      • Highlighting Individual Voices

    • Protecting People and the Environment
      • Pfizer's Green Journey
      • Product Stewardship
      • EHS Governance
      • EHS Supply Chain
      • Key Performance Indicators
      • Health & Safety
      • Human Rights

    • Positions on Health Policies
      • Ready for Cures
      • How does Pfizer price medicines?
      • Value of Medicines
      • Policy Positions
      • Creating Cures Through Facility Investments

    • Transparency
      • Working with Health Care Professionals
      • Transparency in Grants
      • Code of Conduct
      • Corporate Compliance
      • Sales and Marketing Compliance

    • Independent Grants
      • Competitive Grants Program
      • Independent Medical Education
      • Investigator Sponsored Research
      • Quality Improvement
      • COVID-19 Vaccine Grants

    • Contributions & Partnerships
      • Healthcare Charitable Contributions
      • Lobbying & Political Contributions
    HOT TOPICS

    Pfizer Women’s Resource Group

    Media Name: IWD_Pull_up_Banner_300x170.jpg

    • Hot Topics
  • Our Products

    • Product listing

    • How drugs are made
      • Branded vs. Generic
      • Biologics & Biosimilars
      • Commitment to Quality

    • Distributors
      • Pfizer Distributors
      • Greenstone Distributors

    • Medicine Safety
      • Reporting Adverse Events
      • Making Good Treatment Choices
      • Partnering With Patients
      • Health Literacy
      • Medicine Safety Tips for Patients
      • Counterfeiting
      • Unused Medicines

    • Safety Data Sheets

    • Medical Information Contacts

    • Pfizer Global Supply
    HOT TOPICS

    Universal vs. Single Payer Healthcare

    Media Name: universal_healthcare300x170.jpg
  • Careers

    • Working Here
      • Mission & Purpose
      • Culture
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Career Growth & Colleague Development
      • Compensation & Benefits
      • Ensuring Corporate Responsibility
    • Search Jobs
    • Student & Early Career
      • Postdoctoral Program
      • US Summer Student Worker Program
      • Opportunities for Veterans
    • Pfizer365.com
    • Our Hiring & Recruiting Process
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Tips for Interviewing at Pfizer
    • Connect With Us
  • Investors

    • Investors Overview
      • Why Invest / Our Story
      • Prospective Investors
      • Fact Sheet
    • Events & Presentations
    • Financials
      • Quarterly Reports
      • Annual Reports
      • SEC Filings
      • Interactive Data Filings
    • Investor News
    • Stock Information
      • Historical Price Lookup
      • Investment Calculator
      • Historical Stock Chart & Data
      • Dividend & Split History
      • Stock FAQs
    • Governance
      • Board Committees and Charters
      • The Pfizer Board Policies
      • Corporate Governance FAQs
      • Contact Our Directors
    • Shareholder Services
      • Stock FAQs
      • Advisory Information
      • Cost Basis Calculator
  • News

    • Contact Media Relations
    • Podcasts
    • Press Kits & Downloads
    • Press Release Archive
    • Press Statements
  • Partners
  • Footer links

    • Footer Aside Section1
      • CAREER-SEEKERS
      • INVESTORS
      • News & Media
      • Partners
    • Footer Aside Section 2
      • Healthcare Professionals
      • Business To Business
      • Change Region
      • Sitemap
    • Footer Aside Section3
      • Twitter
      • Facebook
      • Linkedin
      • Instagram
      • Youtube
    • Footer Aside Section4
      • Contact Us
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
YOUR HEALTH/ Introducing, Your Pharmacist
April 7, 2017

By George Samman, PharmD - This article originally published on Get Healthy Stay Healthy

Many people know that they can talk to their doctors about their health and how to manage it. But do you know that pharmacists are also a great source of health information? 

Ranked as one of the top most trusted professionals for over 20 years according to the Gallup Poll, pharmacists are experts in medications and have intricate knowledge on how medicines work to treat health conditions. Pharmacists can tell you what your medicine is for, whether it’s dosed appropriately, if it’s safe to use along with other medications you use, how to use your medications correctly and safely, what side effects you may have, among many other important things concerning your health.

Pharmacists go through rigorous training, and typically spend six years of professional study in a wide variety of subjects, including pathophysiology, pharmacology, therapeutics, clinical problem solving, laboratory monitoring, and physical assessment skills for many diseases. Ongoing continuing education is also required of pharmacists, to keep them up-to-date on medications and other aspects of their field.

Behind the Pharmacy Counter
Your community pharmacist has many responsibilities, from dispensing medicine and educating patients, to dealing with your health insurance company. But pharmacists do more than just fill prescriptions.

There are a number of things that pharmacists are able to do, such as:

  • Evaluate the medications you use for possible interactions, especially when a new medication is added to the mix
  • Counsel you on how to correctly use your medicine, including answer any questions you may have about the purpose of a treatment, when it should start working, etc.
  • (in some states) Provide various vaccinations, including flu and pneumonia shots
  • Offer advice about which over-the-counter medications may be appropriate for you based on your symptoms
  • Provide instructions and resources concerning the safe disposal of unused and unwanted medications
  • Perform health and wellness screenings (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol)
  • Help find ways to reduce your prescription costs (e.g., coupons, patient assistance programs)
  • Collaborate with other healthcare professionals (e.g., MD, nurse) about issues related to your health

Of course, not all pharmacists work in a community setting like your local retail drug store or the corner pharmacy. There are also pharmacists who work in different settings, such as hospital, long-term care, home infusion pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry.

Speaking with Your Pharmacist
With all the tasks in a pharmacist’s day, you may feel shy about interrupting and asking questions or getting a private counseling session. But it’s important to remember that pharmacists are specifically trained to speak with you about how to use your medicine correctly and safely. They may also be the most accessible healthcare professional for you.

Here are some tips to help you have a fruitful conversation with your pharmacist:

  • Go to the pharmacy prepared to initiate a dialogue. Some simple questions can spark the conversation, such as: “This is my first time taking this medication—what should I know about it?” or “What can you tell me about this new medication?” or “I’m not sure if I am taking this medication correctly.”
  • If language is an issue, ask about phone interpreters, a service set up in many retail pharmacies, to help you get the information you need.
  • If you go to the same pharmacy or pharmacy chain, your medication history should be on file, but if you are new to the pharmacy, your pharmacist may not see what else you may be taking. It may be helpful to provide a complete list of medications you currently take when asking your pharmacist any questions.
  • Remind your pharmacist of any allergies you’ve had to medications, even if you think it’s in your file—it’s also good practice to mention it even if it’s an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If you have trouble remembering to take your medicines, ask for recommendations. Your pharmacist can also tell you what to do if you miss a dose.
  • Let your pharmacist know about any complementary or alternative medicines (think herbal meds) you use—these may interact with your prescription or non-prescription medications.
  • Alert your pharmacist to any changes in your conditions or health. If you’re pregnant, let the pharmacist know, and ask about taking medications during pregnancy; pharmacists can tell you what may be safe or unsafe to take.

And in recent years, pharmacy technicians have come to play a more prominent role assisting behind the counter, allowing the pharmacist more free time to talk to you.

George Samman, PharmD is Director of Operations Team Leader for the Publications Management Team at Pfizer Inc. and a practicing community pharmacist.

Visit Get Healthy Stay Healthy for more information on Your Health

 

  • 1. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Community pharmacy: chain. Accessed October 6, 2016.
  • 2. Food and Drug Administration. Stop – learn – go – tips for talking with your pharmacist to learn how to use medicines safely. Accessed October 6, 2016.
  • 3. Giberson S, Yoder S, Lee MP. Improving patient and health system outcomes through advanced pharmacy practice: A report to the U.S. surgeon general 2011. U.S. Public Health Service Web site. Accessed October 12, 2016.
  • 4. Department for Professional Employees. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians: facts and figures. Accessed October 6, 2016.
  • 5. Swamy VC, Boje KMK, Coburn RA. Pharma…what? American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Web site. Accessed October 6, 2016.
  • 6. Galt KA, Demers RF, Herrier RN. ASHP statement on the pharmacist’s role in primary care. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Web site. Accessed October 6, 2016.
  • 7. Zargarzadeh AH, Law AV. Access to multilingual prescription labels and verbal translation services in California. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2011; 7(4): 338-346. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2010.08.001.
Related Hot Topics
Media Name: universal_healthcare300x170.jpg
Universal Healthcare vs. Single Payer Healthcare
Media Name: nurses_sharing2_1000x450.jpg
How Do They Do It? Nurses Share Their Sanity Savers
Media Name: health_savings_account300x170.jpg
Health Savings Account: What, How, and Why
Media Name: Heart-healthy-diet-300x170px.png
What is a Heart Healthy Diet?
Media Name: vitamins_and_minerals_for_your_body.png
Vitamins and Minerals For Your Body
Media Name: medication_errors.png
10 Ways to Reduce Medication Errors
Media Name: 89987837.jpg
Are You at Risk for Glaucoma?
Media Name: drug_disposal.jpg
How Can You Safely Get Rid of Expired Drugs?
Tags
Managing Health
Show
Hide

Footer menu

  • Your Health
    • Healthy Living
    • Disease Conditions
    • Manage Your Health
  • Our Science
    • Therapeutic Areas
    • Product Pipeline
    • Clinical Trials
    • R&D Platforms
    • Collaboration
    • Research SItes
  • Our People
    • Meet the Experts
    • The Journey
    • Leadership
    • Diverse Perspectives
  • Our Purpose
    • Commitment To Global Health
    • Positions on Health Policies
    • Transparency
    • Contributions & Partnerships
  • Our Products
    • Product Listing
    • How Drugs are Made
    • Distributors
    • Global Product Information Contacts

Footer aside

  • Footer Aside Section1
    • CAREER-SEEKERS
    • INVESTORS
    • News & Media
    • Partners
  • Footer Aside Section 2
    • Healthcare Professionals
    • Business To Business
    • Change Region
    • Sitemap
  • Footer Aside Section3
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Linkedin
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
  • Footer Aside Section4
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
Pfizer Logo Footer

Copyright © 2002-2021 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. This information—including product information—is intended only for residents of the United States.
The products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.