Take Charge of Your Health by Talking with Your Pharmacist

More than 30 million Americans take five or more prescription drugs regularly, so it’s very important for prescription drug users to be active participants in their healthcare.

“Many people don’t know where to turn when they have questions regarding their prescription medications,” Anne Kennedy, registered pharmacist at Texas County Memorial Hospital’s Hutcheson Pharmacy, said.

Kennedy and her staff at Hutcheson Pharmacy welcome questions from their customers regarding the medications they take. Here are some tips regarding important questions to ask your local pharmacist:

• Ask your pharmacist how to take specific medications. Certain medications need to be taken with food or liquid, and some medications require an empty stomach. Some medications will not work effectively when used with certain foods or drinks.

• Ask for a generic or lower cost medication. Sometimes generic versions of medications are available at a lower price and are safe and effective. TCMH Hutcheson Pharmacy is also part of the low-cost 340-B drug prescription program which is available for patients without insurance coverage that use TCMH physicians or mid-level providers.

• Ask how your medication should be stored. All medications should be stored within certain temperature ranges. Most medications should be stored at room temperature, but some have cold or other storage requirements.

• When picking up medications, ask if there are any changes in the color, size, markings or dose of the medication.

• Ask for help with Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. During the annual open enrollment, TCMH can assist patients that want to compare prescription drug plans. The patient can compare options and choose the plan that’s right for him or her.

For additional information about prescription drugs and services at TCMH Hutcheson Pharmacy, contact the pharmacy at (417) 967-4139.