How to Choose a Pharmacist
Check the appearance of the pharmacy., Note the professionalism (or lack of it) of the staff., Observe the pharmacist’s behavior and content of speech., Listen to the actual content of his speech: Does he explain to you how to follow the dosage...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Check the appearance of the pharmacy.
Does the pharmacy look clean and neat? This is from your own judgement, if you see that the over-the-counter medications on the shelves look messy, the price tags are wrongly placed, you’ll have a hard time finding what you need, you may have reservations about the establishment.
Take a glimpse inside the laboratory where medications are compounded (if your pharmacist does this) and see if it is neat, well-organised, and clean.
If you step in a restaurant that has dirty dishes and utensils, unclean tables and disorganized chairs, you can imagine how the kitchen looks like, and the food that comes out from it.
Please take precautions. -
Step 2: Note the professionalism (or lack of it) of the staff.
A pharmacy, depending on the size, may have many departments, and there are good and bad people everywhere.
Don’t judge the whole company by just one incompetent employee.
It can be someone that had a bad day and gave you a poor customer service when you asked him which aisle the toothpaste was.
Please read the following description with your own judgement:- Inappropriate outfit, hairstyles, makeup or other bodily expressions:
If these are obviously displayed, it might be a consideration.
Inappropriate behavior:
E.g.: chewing gum when talking, inattentive, not looking you in the eyes, runs around the laboratory, gossips out loud.
Keep in mind, an unprofessional technician is prone to make mistakes, which means entering the wrong medications with the wrong dosage, preparing the wrong medication at the wrong quantity and maybe for the wrong patient, or even a chain of mistakes.
The pharmacists trusts and relies on his assistant, he’s not a genius that can detect all mistakes, he is a human too.
You are handing your prescription to someone you judge professional, in which you trust.
But the expression that says : “Don’t stereotype until you get to know the person.” Must be used wisely when you’re dealing with your own health and life.
You can choose to trust your instincts in exceptional situations.
Just like a restaurant and it’s staff that give off a certain vibe that attracts a certain type of clientele, choosing a pharmacy is not a joke. , The most important is what the pharmacist tells you.
Poor customer service is a different issue, the point here is really the way he talks to you and the content of his speech.
Does he seem in a hurry and talks to you too fast? Is he attentive when he talks to you? Is he multitasking when talking to you? Is he receptive? Does he understand and answer your questions? Does he become annoyed when you’re asking questions or when you ask him to repeat what he just said because you didn’t understand? Is he pushy and only wants you to pay and get rid of you as soon as possible? , Does what he say make sense to you? Do you understand what he says? If not, is it because he doesn’t explain to you properly or it simply doesn’t make sense? Does he contradict himself? Can he answer all your questions? If not, does he actively look for an answer or refer you to another resource or does he just ignore and leave your questions unanswered? #*Does he seem sure about what he's telling you when he talks to you?If the behavior and the content of his speech were suspicious, you always have the right to contact your doctor, or get your prescription back to get it filled in another pharmacy. ,,, This will make it easier for you to track expenses for tax purposes as well as making it easier to get refills for medications that are taken long term. , This will make refilling or getting emergency medications much easier and quicker in some circumstances. -
Step 3: Observe the pharmacist’s behavior and content of speech.
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Step 4: Listen to the actual content of his speech: Does he explain to you how to follow the dosage (take the right medication
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Step 5: how many times a day
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Step 6: for how many days
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Step 7: with or without food
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Step 8: the side effects etc…) ?
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Step 9: Find out if the pharmacy deals with your insurance provider
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Step 10: and how they bill
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Step 11: including the difference in prices for name brand verses generic medications.
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Step 12: Ask if the pharmacy has a database to track your medications to make sure no unexpected drug interactions will occur that can put your health at risk.
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Step 13: Check to make sure detailed purchase histories are maintained at the pharmacy if you are going to form a long-term relationship with them.
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Step 14: Make sure the pharmacy accepts phone-in prescriptions from your doctor's office.
Detailed Guide
Does the pharmacy look clean and neat? This is from your own judgement, if you see that the over-the-counter medications on the shelves look messy, the price tags are wrongly placed, you’ll have a hard time finding what you need, you may have reservations about the establishment.
Take a glimpse inside the laboratory where medications are compounded (if your pharmacist does this) and see if it is neat, well-organised, and clean.
If you step in a restaurant that has dirty dishes and utensils, unclean tables and disorganized chairs, you can imagine how the kitchen looks like, and the food that comes out from it.
Please take precautions.
A pharmacy, depending on the size, may have many departments, and there are good and bad people everywhere.
Don’t judge the whole company by just one incompetent employee.
It can be someone that had a bad day and gave you a poor customer service when you asked him which aisle the toothpaste was.
Please read the following description with your own judgement:- Inappropriate outfit, hairstyles, makeup or other bodily expressions:
If these are obviously displayed, it might be a consideration.
Inappropriate behavior:
E.g.: chewing gum when talking, inattentive, not looking you in the eyes, runs around the laboratory, gossips out loud.
Keep in mind, an unprofessional technician is prone to make mistakes, which means entering the wrong medications with the wrong dosage, preparing the wrong medication at the wrong quantity and maybe for the wrong patient, or even a chain of mistakes.
The pharmacists trusts and relies on his assistant, he’s not a genius that can detect all mistakes, he is a human too.
You are handing your prescription to someone you judge professional, in which you trust.
But the expression that says : “Don’t stereotype until you get to know the person.” Must be used wisely when you’re dealing with your own health and life.
You can choose to trust your instincts in exceptional situations.
Just like a restaurant and it’s staff that give off a certain vibe that attracts a certain type of clientele, choosing a pharmacy is not a joke. , The most important is what the pharmacist tells you.
Poor customer service is a different issue, the point here is really the way he talks to you and the content of his speech.
Does he seem in a hurry and talks to you too fast? Is he attentive when he talks to you? Is he multitasking when talking to you? Is he receptive? Does he understand and answer your questions? Does he become annoyed when you’re asking questions or when you ask him to repeat what he just said because you didn’t understand? Is he pushy and only wants you to pay and get rid of you as soon as possible? , Does what he say make sense to you? Do you understand what he says? If not, is it because he doesn’t explain to you properly or it simply doesn’t make sense? Does he contradict himself? Can he answer all your questions? If not, does he actively look for an answer or refer you to another resource or does he just ignore and leave your questions unanswered? #*Does he seem sure about what he's telling you when he talks to you?If the behavior and the content of his speech were suspicious, you always have the right to contact your doctor, or get your prescription back to get it filled in another pharmacy. ,,, This will make it easier for you to track expenses for tax purposes as well as making it easier to get refills for medications that are taken long term. , This will make refilling or getting emergency medications much easier and quicker in some circumstances.
About the Author
Brittany Roberts
Enthusiastic about teaching cooking techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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