Dispensing Medication and Counseling
The dispensing of medication requires that the pharmacist verify that patients have the necessary knowledge and ability to adhere to the prescribed treatment. This will increase the likelihood of obtaining the desired outcomes.
A. Counseling patients
The pharmacist should evaluate the patient’s understanding of each medication and supply additional information when the patient’s information is incorrect or insufficient.
The pharmacist may need to advise patients regarding the proper dosage, appearance, and name of the medication. Information about the route of administration, instructions for use, duration of use, and the reason the product was prescribed may also be needed. In addition, the following topics might also be appropriate:
1. Special procedures: As appropriate, the pharmacist should advise patients how to take the medication (e.g., on an empty stomach, with plenty of water) and on foods to avoid while taking the medication (e.g., alcoholic beverages, dairy products).
2. Potential adverse effects: The pharmacist should ensure that patients are aware of the possible adverse effects associated with a medication. Patients should understand the following:
- The frequency of an adverse effect. This will help patients recognize common adverse effects and not be overly concerned with those that are rare.
- The severity of an adverse effect. This will help patients focus on those adverse effects that are severe and not those that are inconsequential.
- What action should be taken to manage or minimize the adverse effect. This will help patients deal with possible adverse effects in the appropriate manner.
3. Proper storage: The pharmacist should counsel patients on how to store medications properly to ensure stability and potency.
4. Over-the-counter (OTC) products: The pharmacist should instruct patients about the use of OTC products that may not be appropriate when taking a prescribed product.
B. Counseling health professionals
Health professionals (i.e., in an institutional setting) may administer medications to patients. In these cases, the pharmacist should ensure that the health professional has sufficient knowledge to administer the product. Information that health professionals would need include the following:
- The choice of a particular product
- The proper dosage, dosage regimen, and route of administration
- The availability of commercially made products
- Potential adverse effects
- Drug interactions
- Physical incompatibilities
- Safe handling and disposal procedures
- Nutritional interactions or requirements
- Drug interference with laboratory tests
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