When patients visit your independent community pharmacy, they may not know much about the medication they’ve just been prescribed. They probably don’t know if there are any side effects or if it’s safe to take the medication in conjunction with another medication.
A lack of knowledge coupled with a confusing explanation from prescribers can lead to polypharmacy, the simultaneous use of multiple drugs by a single patient for one or more conditions.
Polypharmacy can occur when a patient takes too many medications, or medications that interact adversely when taken together. The dangers of polypharmacy can include uncomfortable or even lethal side affects for patients, among other health concerns.
As a pharmacist, an expert in health care and a trusted confidante, you can help patients reduce their risk for polypharmacy. Ask your patients these five simple questions during your next one-on-one consultation.
1. What medications (prescription and non-prescription) are you taking?
Although you probably have your patients’ prescription and health history on file, you may not be aware of all the medications they take.
Patients may have stopped taking a prescription or filled a new prescription at a different pharmacy. Plus, they could also be taking supplements or over-the-counter (OTC) medications on a regular basis.
Asking your patients for a complete list of medications (prescription and non-prescription) that they’re currently taking, or planning to take while on the medication you’re dispensing to them, can help prevent potential health risks.
For instance, you’ll be able to inform your patients which medications have possible side effects if taken together, or which medication could lessen the effects of another medication.
2. Have you taken this medication before?
This is likely something you always ask patients before giving them their medication. Nonetheless, it’s imperative you continue asking patients this simple question because it can help you better determine a patient’s knowledge.
If your patient has been prescribed a new medication they’ll likely want clarification on how to take it, when to take it and the possible side effects. Not only does asking this simple question help you better educate your patients and lessen the potential for polypharmacy, your patients will also appreciate the individualized attention you give them and further trust your guidance as an expert in health care.
3. Have you had any medication interactions?
It’s a good idea to ask patients if they’ve noticed any differences in their health since beginning a new medication regimen. And, you may want to pay closer attention to your elderly patients because they may be at a higher risk for having adverse reactions to certain medications.
“Older persons react differently to medications than younger persons. Although absorption rates for most drugs don’t change with age, aging alters body fat and water composition: fat stores increase while total body water decreases. These changes can alter therapeutic drug levels, causing greater concentrations of water-soluble drugs and longer half-lives of fat-soluble drugs,” according to an article in American Nurse Today.
Asking this question can help you be on the watch for potentially dangerous side effects.
4. Are you adhering to your medication regimen?
Implementing a medication adherence program in your pharmacy, or just asking this simple question can help prevent polypharmacy.
A lack of medication adherence, or simple forgetfulness can lead to dangerous implications. For example, patients may forget they have taken a certain medication and take double the dosage.
5. Are you open to looking into alternative ways to treat your condition without medication?
Although prescription sales may play a pivotal role in your pharmacy’s bottom line, your patients’ health is likely at the forefront of your concerns. And, sometimes a prescription medication isn’t the only way to treat an ailment.
For example, if your patient has trouble falling asleep at night you may be able to help them find alternative ways to treat their sleeplessness versus relying on a sleeping pill.
And, just because you may be cutting out one prescription sale doesn’t mean you have to lose a profit. Bolster your front-end sales by recommending a therapeutic pillow or a non-prescription sleep aid, such as melatonin.
Polypharmacy isn’t the only concern you should be thinking about for your patients. Learn why your pharmacy needs an adherence program to help keep your patients healthy.
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and owned by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited secondary wholesaler with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
