Your pharmacist is an important member of your health care team. In addition to performing traditional services, such as dispensing medications, your pharmacist can help you understand your medications to ensure that these are taken safely and effectively. Because your pharmacist can play a vital role in protecting and improving your health, you should seek a pharmacist who will provide these services. Your pharmacist should be a knowledgeable and approachable source of information about your medications. Your pharmacist can also help you with information on the costs of your medicines.
Many medicines are available from more than one company.
They may have equal effects but different costs. Your insurance company, HMO, or other third-party payment group may reimburse you for only some of these medications or for only part of their costs. Your pharmacist will be able to tell you which of these medications are covered by your payment plan or which cost less. When selecting a pharmacist, it is important that you understand the role of the pharmacist as a member of your health care team and the extent of information that he or she should be asking from you and providing to you. Because pharmacies can offer different types of services and have different policies regarding patient information, some of the issues that you should consider in selecting a pharmacist also relate to the pharmacy where the pharmacist practices.