Health & Medicine
Talk to Your Pharmacist BY ELIZABETH DATTOLI, PHARM.D WALGREENS PHARMACIST
Look at any stock photo of a pharmacist and she’ll probably be counting pills or filling a pill bottle. As a pharmacist, dispensing medications accurately and safely is as important as anything we do. But most people do not know how much more a pharmacist can do for you.
Good pharmacists will make themselves available to answer your questions and dispense advice as well as medicine. Here are a few ways a simple conversation with your pharmacist can make your life easier, your health better and your mind more at ease. And remember, a growing number of Walgreens pharmacies now have private consultation rooms so you can have that talk in private.
Interactions and Side-effects.
One pill can have multiple effects, depending on the patient. If you’re feeling an unexpected side-effect, such as a rash, nausea or depression, ask your pharmacist. There may be alternate medications, different
dosage levels, dietary changes or other solutions. Additionally, other medications you may be taking may interact in ways not anticipated. Your pharmacist can review with you your entire regimen of prescription and non-prescription drugs and identify possible problems. In consultation with your physician, we can find alternatives.
Control Costs. The drug you are
taking may have a less-expensive generic equivalent. Your pharmacist can find out. They can also talk to you about your insurance coverage, Medicare Part D and programs such as the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club.
and affordable way to get a flu shot or other immunizations. They can also get your blood pressure checked and do other screenings. Many pharmacists specialize in certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and can provide an advanced level of consultation.
And more. In addition to services
Seventy-five percent of Americans live within five miles of a Walgreens drugstore. That puts most people close to a much wider range of health care services than they may know. And your pharmacist will be happy to tell you all about them.
like these, you may be surprised by the widening range of services your community pharmacist now provides, some of them thanks to changes in laws governing the role of the pharmacist in health care. For example, pharmacists are an easy
Adherence. Non-adherence to medications is one of the most significant and costly barriers in treating illness in the U.S. today, estimated at approximately $300 billion per year. Non-adherence is a key contributor to repeat physician visits, hospitalizations and adverse patient outcomes. Your pharmacists can play a critical role in helping you or a loved one improve adherence through a number of programs and services available in store, online and through our mobile platforms. Some Walgreens services include in-pharmacy, phone and online chatbased pharmacist counseling for both Elizabeth Dattoli, Pharm.D. (Veith) was born and raised in Sussex County, Delaware. Elizabeth grew up in Bethany Beach with her seven siblings. She attended and is a graduate of the Indian River School District. After completing Indian River High School in 2000, Elizabeth received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2006 from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Elizabeth has worked for Walgreens Pharmacy in various roles for the past 10 years. She is currently the pharmacy manager of the Walgreens in Bethany Beach and specializes in immunizations, diabetic education and medication therapy management. She lives locally with her husband Jordan and daughter Giovanna.
The County Woman’s Journal
patients managing existing medication therapies and those new to therapy. Other services designed to improve medication adherence include online and mobile prescription management tools, automated prescription refill reminders, follow up calls and transition of care programs.
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