Consider what it would be like if your doctor and pharmacist did not communicate with one another. This could create errors in the prescription and much confusion for the patient.
Now think about your doctor and local pharmacy having a great relationship. If there is any question regarding your medicine, you can rest assured knowing that they can discuss it so that they have a great understanding of what is needed and why. This can improve your patient experience drastically.
How does this benefit the patient?
All three parties in this trio benefit from a good relationship. With the patient being a top priority, the following reasons are how the patient directly benefits from this:
Improves the lines of communication
When a strong relationship exists between local physicians and your community pharmacy, the lines of communication are strong. For example, if you are prescribed a medication and your pharmacist discovers your insurance does not cover this exact brand, your pharmacist can place a call to your doctor and request a generic version or an alternate brand of the same medicine that is covered.
In some instances, patients may not have insurance, or their insurance only covers a small portion of drugs and medicines. In these cases, a call from the pharmacist to change a small detail approved by the doctor can make the difference of whether or not you can afford the needed medication.
Improves the quality of care and medication
Particularly in local community pharmacies, customers are placed as a top priority. Not only does your local pharmacist know your name and medications, but the relationship between the pharmacist and your doctor is also ongoing too. This improves the level of care that you receive.
Your pharmacist can also make recommendations on compound medicines when you can benefit from an alteration. For example, a compound medicine may be needed to change the form of the medicine from solid to liquid, reformulate without an allergen, add in flavor, or customize the dosage. Since your physician and pharmacist can collaborate, your doctor knows the availability of these compounding options at your pharmacy when your prescription is written. If you had a lactose allergy and you needed a medicine containing lactose, your doctor can write the prescription without hesitation, knowing your compounding pharmacy can make the necessary adjustments.
Decreases the risk of errors
Another significant benefit of a positive physician-pharmacist relationship is that the risk of errors is decreased. Doctors often see several patients an hour, and are seemingly always working at a fast pace. If the handwriting on a prescription was hard to depict, for example, a call needs to be placed for clarification. A strong relationship between the doctor and pharmacist means this call is going to get answered quicker. Due to this strong relationship, your pharmacist also likely knows other approved staff members that could provide clarity if the doctor is too busy. Your community pharmacist is on a first name basis with nurses and office support staff too.
The relationship between the patient and pharmacist
Another important relationship that exists in this trio is between the patient and the pharmacist. Knowing you can trust your pharmacist to help with important decisions regarding your medicines is both comforting and empowering. Your pharmacist can make recommendations on which brand of medicine or generic drugs are covered by your insurance, and let you order special medications when needed.
Since your pharmacist will get to know you, your medical history, and your current medications, you will have another support system looking after your health. Having all your medications filled at one independent pharmacy will ensure there are no harmful combinations of medicines that can cause negative reactions. This type of personalized relationship with your pharmacist will also allow them to get to know your preferences, allergies, and ailments.
For example, if your 10-year-old had to have his tonsils out, your pharmacist can quickly make a suggestion on changing his medicine to liquid and adding his favorite flavor so it can be taken with ease during the recovery process. This type of relationship between you and your pharmacist will also save you time, and can save you money.
For more information
Go with a pharmacy that has your best interest in mind. For more information, contact Smith-Caldwell Drug Store today at (501) 404-2740.
At Smith Caldwell, we truly care about you and your family’s well being. We have been serving the community for over 100 years, and we would love to be your local independent pharmacy.