Generic drugs online

Points for Consideration by the Pharmacist

When You Fill a Prescription

• Clarify with the prescriber any prescription information that is illegible, uncertain, or a potential source for erroneous interpretation-by you or the patient.
• Be alert to "look-alike" and "sound-alike" drug names. This is a significant cause of dispensing errors. In accepting prescriptions by telephone, ask the caller to spell the name of the drug, as appropriate.
• Include both the name of the drug and the disorder on the label (for example: Fosamax for osteoporosis) if the patient does not object, and consult with the prescribing physician when necessary. This will help (1) reduce dispensing errors caused by "look-alike" and "soundalike" drug names; and (2) prevent confusion during concurrent use of multiple drugs: mistaken identity of drug and purpose, mistakenly altered dosing schedules, etc.
• Encourage your patients to look at the prescription label, with you. Paper clip the patient drug information to the bag. Take the lead in opening the bottle, showing the patient the medicine, and making sure they understand how much and when to take the medicine. This also gives you a final chance to earn your place as the most trusted professional.
• Check the stock bottle for accurate identification and appropriate dating. If a technician fills the prescription, be certain you open the dispensing container as well as the completed prescription and check the drug personally.

When You Counsel the Patient as You Dispense the Filled Prescription

• Ask the patient to tell you how they are to take or give the medicine. Hearing them tell you about their medicines is a great way to make sure they really understand. Clarify any points of confusion or misunderstanding.
• Make sure that the patient recognizes the name of the drug and the disorder being treated. Explain what the drug is supposed to do. Review the details of dosing instructions: how much to take, when to take it, and for how long. It doesn't do them any good if it stays in the bottle. See if your computer vendor has a module for medication maps. If not, use the map provided in this book (Table 15). This can be a valuable cognitive service.
• Talk about possible side effects or adverse effects that may occur. Tell the patient about what to do if any of these occur. Encourage them to call their doctor if new symptoms develop.