Learn More About What A Pharmacist Does
A pharmacist is a person you go to when you need to have your prescriptions filled. However, pharmacists do much more than fill prescriptions. Here are some of the other things that a pharmacist can do that you should know about:
A pharmacist can educate you on medications
If you have questions about any of the medications you take, ones that you have been hearing about, or over-the-counter ones that you are considering, then a pharmacist is a great person for you to take those questions to. You should understand that a pharmacist can't give you medical advice, but they can educate you on things like the possible side effects of medications, things certain medication can help with, and whether you are taking medications already that may have a bad interaction with ones you are asking about.
A pharmacist can give vaccinations
A lot of people don't know that they can go to the pharmacist for their vaccinations. This may be something that is much more convenient for you. Instead of making a doctor's appointment and waiting a long time in the waiting room just to get your flu shot, you can go to your pharmacist. It can be even more convenient if you already have a prescription you need to pick up at the pharmacy anyways. Something to be aware of is that you should call the pharmacy ahead of time just to make sure they are accepting walk-ins for vaccinations, and if not, you can make an appointment to go in for your shot and pick up your prescription then.
A pharmacist can prescribe certain medications in some states
In some states, a pharmacy can prescribe certain kinds of medications to people. One example of a type of medication that a pharmacist can prescribe in some states is hormonal birth control. Being able to go directly to the pharmacist to be prescribed this contraceptive and to have it filled makes it much easier for many people to obtain the contraceptive, such as those who are new to the area and don't have a doctor yet or someone who doesn't have a regular doctor because they don't have medical insurance.
Conclusion
Now that you know a bit more about some of the things a pharmacist can do, you will know more about the times that you can turn to them for certain needs you may have regarding things like advice or information on medications, as well as access to other things like vaccinations.
