Yes, pharmacists play a huge role in helping people take their medicines the right way. They are medicine experts who make sure patients stick to their treatment plans. When people take their medicines correctly, they get better faster and stay healthier.
This article will show you exactly how pharmacists help patients follow their medicine routines. You’ll learn about the simple ways they make a big difference in people’s health. We’ll also cover why taking medicine as told is so important and what happens when people don’t.
Why Taking Medicine Correctly Matters So Much
Taking medicine the right way is super important for your health. When doctors give you medicine, they expect it to work in a certain way. But this only happens if you take it exactly as told.
About 50% of people don’t take their medicines correctly, especially when it comes to timing, how much to take, and how often. According to the CDC’s research on medication adherence, this is a big problem that costs the U.S. healthcare system between $100-300 billion every year.
When people don’t take their medicine right, several bad things can happen:
- Their health problems get worse
- They might need to go to the hospital
- Treatment takes longer to work
- Healthcare costs go up for everyone
The World Health Organization says that medication adherence can have a more direct impact on patient outcomes than the specific treatment itself. This means taking your medicine correctly is just as important as which medicine you take.
What Pharmacists Do to Help People Take Medicine
Pharmacists are the last healthcare workers you see before taking your medicine home. This puts them in a perfect spot to help you succeed with your treatment.
They Give Personal Advice and Teaching
Pharmacists spend time talking to each patient about their medicines. They explain:
- What each medicine does
- When to take it
- How much to take
- What side effects to watch for
- Why the medicine is important
Education, while helpful, is usually not enough to persuade the patient to comply with the physician’s drug orders. Information must be presented in clear, easy-to-understand language. Good pharmacists make sure you understand everything before you leave.
They Find and Fix Problems
Smart pharmacists look for things that might stop you from taking your medicine. Common problems include:
- Medicine costs too much
- Hard to remember when to take it
- Side effects that bother you
- Too many different medicines
- Don’t understand why you need it
Once they find these problems, pharmacists work with you to fix them.
They Make Taking Medicine Easier
Pharmacists help make your medicine routine simpler. They can:
- Combine medicines when safe to do so
- Set up all your medicines to be picked up on the same day
- Suggest pill organizers or reminder tools
- Help you get medicine delivered to your home
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) launched an initiative known as ‘Simplify My Meds’ to improve adherence. This enabled pharmacists to combine and organize patients’ medications such that all their medications can be collected on the same day of every month. This initiative resulted in a 30% increase in prescriptions.
Special Services Pharmacists Offer
Medication Therapy Management (MTM)
This is a special service where pharmacists work closely with you and your doctor. During medication therapy management, pharmacists:
- Review all your medicines together
- Look for dangerous combinations
- Check if doses are right for you
- Make sure you’re not taking anything you don’t need
- Help you understand your treatment plan better
MTM services can be delivered in a variety of settings. These include inpatient facilities, ambulatory care settings (e.g., outpatient clinics, physician practices), retail pharmacies in the community. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires all Medicare Part D plans to offer MTM programs to eligible patients.
Medicine Reviews and Check-ups
Pharmacists offer regular check-ups just for your medicines. These help catch problems early and make sure everything is working well. During these visits, they:
- Ask how you’re feeling on your medicines
- Check if you’re having any side effects
- See if your medicines are helping
- Update your medicine list
- Answer any questions you have
Technology Help
Modern pharmacists use technology to help you stay on track:
- Text reminders to take your medicine
- Apps that track your doses
- Automatic refill programs
- Online medicine records you can access anytime
In another study of patients with type 2 diabetes, having more time with pharmacists and individualized education and adherence support, as well as female gender, were positively correlated with improved medication adherence.
How Pharmacists Work With Your Healthcare Team
Pharmacists don’t work alone. They team up with your doctors and nurses to give you the best care possible.
Talking to Your Doctor
When pharmacists find problems with your medicines, they contact your doctor right away. They might suggest:
- Changing to a different medicine
- Adjusting the dose
- Adding something to help with side effects
- Stopping a medicine that’s not needed
Patients assigned to team-based care, including pharmacist-led medication reconciliation and tailoring; pharmacist-led patient education; collaborative care between pharmacist and primary care provider or cardiologist; and two types of voice messaging (educational and medication refill reminder calls) were significantly more adherent with their medication regimen 12 months after hospital discharge (89%) compared with patients not receiving team-based care (74%).
Sharing Important Information
Pharmacists keep detailed records of:
- What medicines you take
- How well they work for you
- Any problems you have
- Changes that need to be made
This information helps your whole healthcare team take better care of you.
Coordinating Your Care
When you leave the hospital or see a specialist, pharmacists help make sure:
- You have the right medicines at home
- You understand any changes to your routine
- There are no dangerous interactions
- You can afford your new medicines
Proven Ways Pharmacists Improve Medicine Taking
Research shows several methods work really well to help people take their medicine correctly.
Face-to-Face Counseling
Patients who received counseling (N = 586) were significantly more adherent at 12 months. When pharmacists sit down and talk with patients, it makes a big difference. These conversations help patients feel more confident about their treatment.
Making Medicine Routines Simple
Dosing simplification and minimization of adverse effects are extremely successful strategies for improving adherence. When pharmacists help reduce the number of times you need to take medicine each day, people do much better.
Using Special Packaging
Some pharmacies offer special pill packs that organize your medicines by day and time. This makes it much easier to remember what to take when.
Helping With Costs
Pharmacists know about programs that can help make medicines more affordable. They can:
- Find generic versions that cost less
- Help you apply for discount programs
- Work with your insurance company
- Connect you with patient assistance programs
Regular Follow-up
The mean effect size was 0.57 for pharmacist-led interventions in older adults, showing that regular check-ins with pharmacists really help people stick to their medicine routines.
Special Help for Different Health Problems
Heart Disease
For people with heart problems, taking medicine correctly can be life-saving. Pharmacists help by:
- Explaining why each heart medicine is important
- Watching for dangerous drug interactions
- Helping manage side effects
- Making sure blood pressure medicines work well together
Following the intervention, medication cost (120, 50%), inadequate availability of drugs (75, 31%), and forgetfulness (30, 13%) were the main reasons for medication non-adherence in heart failure patients.
Diabetes
People with diabetes often take many different medicines. Pharmacists help by:
- Teaching about blood sugar control
- Helping coordinate insulin with other medicines
- Watching for low blood sugar problems
- Making sure all medicines work well together
Sometimes people will come into a pharmacy with a yeast infection that keeps occurring over and over, or they want an over-the-counter medicine because they have to get up and go to the bathroom several times at night. Smart pharmacists can spot signs of undiagnosed diabetes and help people get proper care.
Mental Health
Taking medicine for mental health problems can be especially hard. Pharmacists help by:
- Explaining how mental health medicines work
- Helping manage side effects
- Providing emotional support
- Working with mental health doctors
Mental health patients struggle with medication adherence, providing opportunities for pharmacists to have a critical role in implementing key interventions for this patient cohort.
Multiple Health Problems
Many people have several health problems at once. This makes taking medicine much more complicated. Pharmacists help by:
- Organizing all medicines together
- Checking for dangerous combinations
- Simplifying routines as much as possible
- Coordinating with multiple doctors
How Pharmacists Use Technology
Modern pharmacies use lots of technology to help people take their medicine correctly.
Electronic Health Records
Pharmacists can see your complete medicine history in computer systems. This helps them:
- Spot potential problems quickly
- Track how well medicines work for you
- Share information with your doctors
- Keep everything organized in one place
Mobile Apps and Reminders
Many pharmacies offer apps and text messaging services that:
- Remind you when to take medicine
- Alert you when refills are due
- Track your progress
- Answer common questions
Telepharmacy Services
Some pharmacists can help you over the phone or video chat. This is especially helpful if:
- You live far from a pharmacy
- You have trouble getting around
- You need quick advice about your medicines
- You want to discuss side effects privately
What Makes Pharmacist Help Work Best
Not all pharmacy help is the same. The most successful programs have these features:
Personal Attention
The majority of patients (79%) prefer having an active role in decision making, and joint goal setting is one of the major determinants of a successful intervention. Good pharmacists involve you in making decisions about your care.
Regular Contact
One-time conversations don’t work as well as ongoing relationships. The best results come when pharmacists:
- Check in with you regularly
- Follow up on problems
- Adjust help as your needs change
- Build trust over time
Team Approach
When pharmacists work closely with your doctors and nurses, you get better care. Everyone stays on the same page about your treatment.
Cultural Understanding
Good pharmacists understand that people from different backgrounds might have different concerns about medicine. They respect your beliefs and work with you to find solutions that fit your life.
Common Problems and How Pharmacists Help
“I Keep Forgetting to Take My Medicine”
Pharmacists can help by:
- Setting up pill organizers
- Arranging text or phone reminders
- Linking medicine times to daily activities
- Using special packaging that shows missed doses
“My Medicine Costs Too Much”
Pharmacists help by:
- Finding cheaper generic versions
- Helping with insurance appeals
- Connecting you to discount programs
- Splitting pills when safe to save money
“I Don’t Like the Side Effects”
Pharmacists can:
- Suggest ways to reduce side effects
- Help you talk to your doctor about alternatives
- Teach you which side effects are serious
- Help time medicines to reduce problems
“I Have Too Many Pills to Remember”
Pharmacists help by:
- Combining medicines when possible
- Creating simple schedules
- Using special packaging
- Working with doctors to reduce unnecessary medicines
“I Don’t Understand Why I Need This Medicine”
Good pharmacists take time to:
- Explain what each medicine does
- Show you how it helps your specific problem
- Answer all your questions
- Give you written information to take home
Measuring Success: How Well Does It Work?
Studies show that when pharmacists help people with their medicines, good things happen:
Better Health Outcomes
Pharmacist-led interventions had statistically significant beneficial effects on quality of life as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, people who get help from pharmacists often see improvements in their health conditions with a mean effect size of 0.41 for medication adherence outcomes.
Fewer Hospital Visits
When people take their medicines correctly, they’re less likely to end up in the hospital. This saves money and prevents suffering.
Lower Healthcare Costs
Even though pharmacy services cost money upfront, they save much more by preventing serious health problems later.
Higher Patient Satisfaction
People who work with pharmacists often feel more confident about their treatment and happier with their care.
Special Services at Community Pharmacies
Local pharmacies like VillageRx offer many services to help people take their medicines correctly:
Free Medicine Consultations
Many community pharmacists offer free meetings to review all your medicines and answer questions.
Compounding Services
Some pharmacies can make medicines in special forms that are easier for you to take, like:
- Flavored liquids for children
- Creams instead of pills
- Different strengths not available commercially
Vaccination Services
Pharmacists can give you vaccines and make sure they don’t interfere with your other medicines.
Home Delivery
Many pharmacies deliver medicines right to your door, making it easier to stay on track with your treatment.
Tips for Working With Your Pharmacist
To get the most help from your pharmacist:
Be Honest About Problems
Tell your pharmacist if you:
- Miss doses sometimes
- Don’t understand instructions
- Can’t afford your medicines
- Have side effects
- Don’t think the medicine is helping
Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask about:
- What your medicine does
- When to take it
- What to avoid while taking it
- What side effects to watch for
- How long you’ll need to take it
Keep Records
Bring a list of all your medicines, including:
- Prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter drugs
- Vitamins and supplements
- Herbal remedies
Stay in Touch
Let your pharmacist know when:
- You start new medicines
- You stop taking something
- You’re having problems
- Your health changes
The Future of Pharmacist Care
Pharmacy care keeps getting better as new tools and methods are developed.
Advanced Training
More pharmacists are getting special training in:
- Disease management
- Mental health support
- Geriatric care
- Chronic disease help
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) provides certification programs that help pharmacists develop advanced skills in medication management and patient care services.
Better Technology
New computer systems help pharmacists:
- Predict which patients might have problems
- Track outcomes more accurately
- Communicate better with doctors
- Provide more personalized care
Expanded Services
Many pharmacies are adding new services like:
- Health screenings
- Disease monitoring
- Lifestyle counseling
- Chronic disease management programs
Final Thoughts
Pharmacists are medicine experts who play a huge role in helping people take their medicines correctly. They offer personal advice, find and fix problems, and work with your healthcare team to give you the best care possible.
When you work with a good pharmacist, you’re more likely to take your medicines the right way. This leads to better health, fewer hospital visits, and lower healthcare costs. The key is finding a pharmacist you trust and staying in regular contact with them.
Remember, your pharmacist is there to help you succeed with your treatment. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or share concerns. They want you to feel confident and comfortable with your medicines.
If you’re looking for personalized pharmacy care, consider visiting your local community pharmacy where pharmacists have more time to spend with each patient. Many offer special services like medication reviews and personalized medication management to help you get the most from your treatment.
Taking medicine correctly is one of the most important things you can do for your health. With help from a caring pharmacist, you can make sure your medicines work as well as possible to keep you healthy and feeling your best.