People might envision their pharmacist counting pills behind the counter, but the reality is they rarely do.
Pill-counting and prescription filling is often done by a pharmacy technician, although the pharmacist remains responsible for the final check before any prescription is delivered to a patient.
The pharmacist’s job is up close and personal with the client. It’s about establishing a relationship and assessing their needs.
“By forming a relationship, the pharmacist will be familiar with that person’s medical needs as well as their medical conditions,” said Mark Rogers, a pharmacist at Central Drugs Stores Bowen Road location. “We know most of our customers on a first time basis and we’ve had a long history with a lot of people who have been coming here for over 30 years.”
Rogers has been a pharmacist for 10 years and chose to pursue the calling to interact with the public, put his love of science to work and help care for people.
During Pharmacist Awareness Week, March 6-12, the B.C. Pharmacy Association was encouraging people to talk to their pharmacists, like Rogers, and discover what health care services they can provide. Pharmacists can help manage patients medications, chronic diseases and give self care advice.
While not at the counter discussing patient care, the pharmacist is checking prescription information in PharmaNet, a Ministry of Health provincewide system that allows pharmacists to access patient records and ensure there aren’t drug interactions or previous problems with medications.
Regulations introduced last year by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia introduced voluntary rules to govern pharmacy technicians that enable them to expand their role behind the counter by taking more responsibility to handle prescriptions and allowed pharmacists more time for patient care.
This year’s theme for Pharmacy Awareness week is ‘Your Prescription for a healthy Spring Break’. With children and families looking forward to holidays, camp or more family time it’s important to talk to a pharmacist, especially if people are travelling overseas.
“Be prepared,” said Kate Hunter, communications director for the B.C. Pharmacy association.
She said vacationers should ensure they have enough medication in case there are flight delays, pack some in their carry-on luggage as well as regular luggage in case their bags are lost and ask their pharmacists how time changes will affect medication schedules.
Hunter said the association hopes the weeks awareness campaign will lead more people to establish relationships with their pharmacist that will last year round.