Primary Pharmacist?

[ilovePharmD2]

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I think it would be a great idea if patients have a primary pharmacist they could go to for all their counselling and filling out prescriptions, just like having a primary physician. This will greatly reduce incidences of medication errors.

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

I think it would be a great idea if patients have a primary pharmacist they could go to for all their counselling and filling out prescriptions, just like having a primary physician. This will greatly reduce incidences of medication errors.

most patients do???

 

[Praziquantel86]

They do - most patients go to one pharmacy whenever possible.

 

[Pianopooh]

I think it would be a great idea if patients have a primary pharmacist they could go to for all their counselling and filling out prescriptions, just like having a primary physician. This will greatly reduce incidences of medication errors.

I feel that most patients go to the same community chain pharmacy, but they do not go to the same pharmacy all the time. Hence.. they don't have a sole pharmacist that works on their medications all the time.. so they do not have a "primary pharmacist." Patients like to jump from one store to the next in a chain because it's convenient for them... but it's not ideal because even though the pharmacist can see all the patient's medications from the history... you're always talking to a different pharmacist who may not know what type of knowledge the patient has regarding their medications. Of course, in community chains, the time to speak to patients is greatly decreased anyway unfortunately.. 🙁 But yeah, if you go to local communities with independent pharmacies, patients are more likely to see the same pharmacist there all the time so in independent pharmacies, this is where the "primary pharmacist" may actually be achievable. Too bad many of these independents are being acquisition by corporates these days due to the economy. 🙁

 

[Aznfarmerboi]

I feel that most patients go to the same community chain pharmacy, but they do not go to the same pharmacy all the time. Hence.. they don't have a sole pharmacist that works on their medications all the time.. so they do not have a "primary pharmacist." Patients like to jump from one store to the next in a chain because it's convenient for them... but it's not ideal because even though the pharmacist can see all the patient's medications from the history... you're always talking to a different pharmacist who may not know what type of knowledge the patient has regarding their medications. Of course, in community chains, the time to speak to patients is greatly decreased anyway unfortunately.. 🙁 But yeah, if you go to local communities with independent pharmacies, patients are more likely to see the same pharmacist there all the time so in independent pharmacies, this is where the "primary pharmacist" may actually be achievable. Too bad many of these independents are being acquisition by corporates these days due to the economy. 🙁

In NYS, transfering is a hassle since we can only transfer one refill at a time. Hence we try to "discourage" them as much as possible if they dont need it. It makes sense... I rather have them go to their pharmacy at home if they are heading home anyway...

 

[charfdorn]

I think it would be a great idea if patients have a primary pharmacist they could go to for all their counselling and filling out prescriptions, just like having a primary physician. This will greatly reduce incidences of medication errors.

I didn't get what you meant at first, but now I do. Most people have a primary pharmacy, but most pharmacies have more than one pharmacist. When I go I get one of two guys. They're both great, but they're not the same person, so I see what you mean now. That would only work if pharmacies kept hours similar to physicians. You can't expect the same person to be there every time you go if they're open every day of the week...

 

[Kaiter]

same as everyone above...and as i recall...don't physicians (or anyone in the health field for that matter) ask if the patient is taking any other medication anyways? pretty sure that would be noted if a prescription was to be filled out...correct me if i'm wrong

 

[charfdorn]

same as everyone above...and as i recall...don't physicians (or anyone in the health field for that matter) ask if the patient is taking any other medication anyways? pretty sure that would be noted if a prescription was to be filled out...correct me if i'm wrong

Yeah, like my buddy who takes insulin and metformin for his diabetes, and atorvastatin for his blood pressure. And that one white pill for his cholesterol.

 

[Sparda29]

same as everyone above...and as i recall...don't physicians (or anyone in the health field for that matter) ask if the patient is taking any other medication anyways? pretty sure that would be noted if a prescription was to be filled out...correct me if i'm wrong

They should, and they probably do, but one thing I learned from House MD, everybody lies. It could be as simple as embarrassment for why they will lie about it.

 

[farmist]

same as everyone above...and as i recall...don't physicians (or anyone in the health field for that matter) ask if the patient is taking any other medication anyways? pretty sure that would be noted if a prescription was to be filled out...correct me if i'm wrong

A lot of people don't know what they take or only what color the pill is.

 

[genesis09]

Sometimes physicians are in a hurry and don't ask. People go to many physicians and thus, the medicine record is not what it should be.