3) Customers are always right, but it’s better to be right than fast – Because the wrong medication or dosage can have fatal consequences, it’s best not to harass the person behind the counter, even if he or she exceeds the standard 15-minute wait time. More so than any other profession, the pharmacist needs to be sure he or she is doing the right thing and giving you the right medications. It’s more than counting pills and putting them in bottles.
4) They often can’t read the prescription – If you have a hard time reading what the doctor wrote down, then the poor pharmacist may be in the same boat. Although pharmacists are more in tune with the language of prescriptions, it still may mean a phone call to be absolutely certain of a doctor’s intentions, particularly if it’s possible there’s a conflict with another medication you take. It’s worth the wait time to make sure they get it right. Fortunately, electronic prescription fulfillment is more prevalent, but it is a slow national rollout.
5) Your pharmacists can’t cut you a deal – Most pharmacists are employees of a chain or have a boss who determines what can and can’t be done about pricing. Medications are expensive and growing more so with time. Pharmaceutical distributors can’t tell the manufacturers what to charge, nor can they mark it up.
6) Some generics aren’t worth taking – A brand-name drug has patent protection for 20 years, meaning no other manufacturer can make or sell it. After that, manufacturers can create medications that mimic the original drug, as long as the generic meets the same requirements for dosage, safety, strength, administration, quality and performance. However, not every generic is exactly like its original medication. Even minor differences that may not mean much can have an impact on your health. If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist.