More Than Just Pills: A Patient's Perspective on Pharmacist Care

In a couple of my earlier posts, I have talked about who was on my diabetes team. Your team may be similar or may include more professionals. I’m pretty lucky so far, my team is small.

When I think of my team, I think of the obvious people: the doctors, the registered dietitian, etc. One of the professionals I never read about is the pharmacist. For some of you, "big pharma" is, or has been, an issue, whether the problem is political or experiential. Since by nature, I’m not a political person, I’m going to talk about my experience. I’ll stick mainly to the experience of dealing with my type 2 diabetes.

Importance of the pharmacist in diabetes management

Generally speaking, I love a couple of my pharmacists. I say a couple because it just depends on who is working when I need to ask questions.

"L" is my favorite pharmacist. She happens to be the owner of the franchise store, which is part of a large chain. Why do I mention this? Well, because I think it’s important.

The type of service you receive as a customer tells you a lot about who is at the top and who they hire. Technical skills are one thing, and interpersonal skills are another. I have changed pharmacies on more than one occasion if I didn’t feel I got the education I needed from the pharmacist or if I didn’t like some of the practices. I have a choice. I exercise that.

Details about medications

To be a pharmacist, you have to be very smart (sure as heck smarter than I am). Many are also Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE). I rely on "L" and her team to help me with any questions I have about the meds I’m on.

For example, when the doctor starts you on meds for diabetes, it’s helpful to know what the drug is, how it works, side effects, how and when to take it, etc. Many doctors are good at explaining all of this. Many can tell you in detail. Others, not so much.

They rely on the pharmacist to inform you of the details of the medication. If you are prescribed a new drug at my pharmacy, the pharmacy assistants let the pharmacist know it’s new for you. The pharmacist takes you aside and talks to you about the new med before they put it in your hands, giving you the information I just mentioned.

I have giggled several times because the doctor had already told me all of this. But what if the doctor hadn’t, or couldn’t? The importance of the pharmacist can’t be understated.

Understanding medication interactions

Now the picture gets bigger as my diabetes progresses, or ((clearing throat)) as I get older. My treatment plan requires perhaps more meds than just my diabetes ones, maybe a cholesterol medication or a blood pressure medicine to protect my heart.

I think we all know the impact diabetes can have on our hearts, so these drugs often go hand in hand. More drugs mean potentially more interactions between those drugs. More drugs can also mean more confusion. Some work better in the morning, others at night.

Yes, I’m told this at the doctor’s office, but sometimes, I forget by the time I’ve hit the parking lot. I rely on the pharmacist to reinforce what’s already been told. I rely on the pharmacist to give me what the doctor hasn’t or can’t.

Pharmacists improve patient education

The pharmacist has extensive knowledge and can teach me about my meds. The more you educate me, the better. The more you educate me, the safer I am. And, the more I’m empowered. I trust my pharmacist. I am very pleased to have her on my team.