Medication Safety: How Pharmacists Help You Manage Your Meds

Pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring safe medication use, and their responsibilities extend beyond simply dispensing pills.

According to pharmacist Mark Heelon, Medication Safety Officer at Baystate Health, pharmacists are medication experts. “As such, we add an important layer of safety to your care by spotting potential interactions and allergies related to your prescriptions. Additionally, their specialized focus on medication management allows them to find ways to make taking medications safer and more convenient.

While your pharmacist can’t accompany you to your doctor’s appointments or follow you home to remind you when to take your next dose, they can advise you and offer tips for safer medication management to avoid medication errors.

Building Your Patient-Pharmacist Relationship

Much like building any relationship, a solid patient-pharmacist relationship relies on information sharing.

Heelon says, “The information you share with your pharmacist determines the quality of the advice they can give you. It’s also important to update your pharmacist if there’s any change to the medications you’re taking or your health in general.”

Some information Heelon recommends sharing to establish a strong relationship with your pharmacist includes: Your medical history, including any past or current conditions or health issues, pregnancy. Be sure to advise your pharmacist of any changes to your health as they occur.

• Any allergies or sensitivities
• A list of medications you are currently taking including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, antacids, laxatives, and other supplements
• Which medications give you problems or side effects and the nature of those side effects
• How consistently you do—or don’t—manage to keep to medication schedules (No, you won’t get in trouble. In fact, they may be able to offer you the medication in a different dosage or form that works better for you!)

And because relationships are two-way streets, Heelon also recommends you ask your pharmacist a few questions whenever you’re prescribed a new medication. They include:

• What is the name of this medication? Be sure to ask about brand and generic names.
• Why am I taking this medication?
• What is the strength of this medication?
• How do I take the medication? If it’s a new method of taking medication, be sure to ask, ‘how do I take it properly?’
• Are there any common side effects?
• How long will I be taking this medication?
• When can I expect to feel the effects?
• What do I do if I miss a dose?
• How do I store this medication properly?

Heelon also emphasizes the importance of working with one pharmacy.

“People often think there’s a one big database of information related to what meds people are taking,” he says, “but it’s simply not true. Yes, if you’re working with a chain pharmacy, they can see from store to store what you’re taking but if you’re going outside that organization, it’s impossible for that new pharmacist to advise you safely and wisely about potential interactions.”

Working with one pharmacy also benefits providers at your doctor’s office and at the hospital who may need to make inquiries to understand what’s going on with your health and to prescribe new medicine safely.

Pharmacist’s Tips for Sticking to Medication Schedules

According to Heelon, one of the most common medication mistakes he speaks to patients about regularly is skipped doses of medications.

“Obviously, missing a medication is not great,” he says. “But there are things you can do and resources available to you to help decrease the risk of that happening again.”

First, Heelon notes that if you’re prescribed more than one daily medication, be sure to ask your pharmacist if a combination version (two drugs in one medication) is available. Combination drugs for common chronic conditions including heart disease, anxiety, diabetes, and others are all widely available.

“For people taking multiple daily medications, combination drugs can really simplify what can quickly become a complicated task,” says Heelon.

Second, Heelon says it’s helpful to use regular daily activities as reminder triggers to take your meds. For example, let the act of brushing your teeth or having lunch serve as your reminder that it’s time to take your medication.

He adds, “If you’re assisting a loved one with their medication schedule, tune into their daily routines. If mom never misses morning coffee, put her medication next to the coffee machine.”

If your medication routine is more complicated or requires more triggers, set daily alarms on your phone or download an app to help you stay compliant. DoseCast, Care4Today, and MedMinder are just three of the many apps with free versions you can use to prompt yourself to take medication as needed.

Heelon notes that weekly pill boxes are also extremely helpful and adds that some pharmacies offer pill or blister packs that allow you to sort medications by day of the week and the time they are to be taken.

Safety Precautions for Medicine

Another common issue that Heelon speaks to patients about regularly is medication storage.

Heelon stresses, “How and where you store your medications can help ensure they work as intended and prevent accidental poisoning. It’s important to always read the label for storage instructions and follow them. Failing to do so can damage the components of the medication and keep it from doing its job—making you well.”

Some key points for storing both prescription and over-the-counter medications include:

• Avoid extreme temperatures. Keep medications between 59- and 73-degrees F and in a cool dry place. NOTE: this means NOT keeping medications in your luggage in the trunk of a car or in checked bags when flying. If you order drugs by mail or have them delivered, avoid having them sit on a hot porch or in a hot mailbox
• Avoid using bathroom medicine cabinets where humidity can impact the efficacy of drugs.
• If your medication requires refrigeration, keep it cool. If traveling, use a small cooler with an ice pack to keep the temperature constant.
• Don’t store medication on a windowsill as sunlight may impact how well it works.
• Always keep medication well out of reach of children.
• Don’t keep any medication beyond its expiration date. Ask your pharmacist or local police department about safe disposal options.

If you’re still unsure, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Managing Medications When Staying in the Hospital

While managing your medications safely is always important, it’s especially so when going to the hospital for care.

“It’s important that your care team at the hospital is fully aware of any and all medications you’re taking so that they can take measures to avoid any potential complications or interactions,” notes Heelon.

He recommends taking the following with you when preparing for a hospital stay:

• An up-to-date medication list including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, antacids, laxatives, and any supplements
• Name and phone number for your pharmacy
• Name and phone number for your doctor(s)
• A list of allergies to medications and foods
• Current weight
• All current medications in their original packaging

He also strongly advises reaching out to your doctor and pharmacist when you’re discharged from the hospital and letting them know of any changes to your medication list as well as of any drugs you may have been given during your stay, even if you are no longer on them.

How to Keep Kids Safe Around Medication

Children’s bodies handle medication differently, so it’s important to be careful whenever giving them prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

“Most over-the-counter products are designed for adults,” cautions Heelon. “You can’t just cut the dose and expect it to work the same way. In fact, this can be very dangerous. Whenever purchasing or giving medication to a child, always consult with your pharmacist first. And as you did for yourself, make sure your pharmacist knows what medications—including vitamins—your child takes regularly and of any health conditions including allergies.”

When medicating children, it’s extremely important to dose accurately. “Don’t rely on your kitchen measuring spoons for this important task,” says Heelon. “Instead, ask your pharmacist for a dropper or other appropriate device for measuring medication. While you’re at it, be sure to ask how long your child can safely take a medication and about potential side effects.

Other important tips for giving medication to children include:

• Know how to contact your pediatrician after hours in case of emergency
• Notify your pediatrician if your child appears to be experiencing side effects.

• Make sure your child’s school and any other care providers (babysitters, grandparents, and others) are aware of any medication allergies.

• Keep the poison control number in your phone contacts and prominently displayed in your home.

Heelon also advises parents to be mindful that vitamins are, in fact, medication. Treat them as such. In addition, never tell your child a medication tastes like candy. Be sure to keep your medications out of reach of children and, if you have guests, ask them to do the same.

Making the Most of Your Pharmacist and Pharmacy Services

Like your doctor, your pharmacist is invested in your good health. You may be surprised to learn that in addition to handing out medication, your pharmacist may offer helpful services including:

• Delivery
• Pill packs for managing multiple daily medications
• Advice on managing your own medications or that of loved ones
• Alternate formulations if you’re having trouble taking a given medication
• Mobile app refill notifications
• Online refill management options
• Translation services for prescription and dosing information

Heelon adds, “Unlike the doctor’s office, you don’t need an appointment to talk to your pharmacist. We encourage people to lean on us for medication advice and guidance. While your family or friends may make suggestions about what works for them or, even worse, attempt to share their medication with you, don’t do anything without talking to your pharmacist. Our aim is to keep you safe and healthy, and we spent a lot of years in schooling learning what’s involved in doing that. Turn to us when you have questions or need help. It’s what we’re trained to do.”

The World Health Organization identifies five moments for medication safety – key times to pause and ask your doctor and pharmacist questions about your medications. These are:

• Starting a medication
• Taking my medication
• Adding a medication
• Reviewing my medication
• Stopping my medication

At each of these moments, the WHO recommends discussing your health needs and medication history with your doctor and pharmacist. They are there to prevent your medications from causing harm instead of helping you. The WHO provides a list of medication questions with blank pages for taking notes that you can use to guide you in each of these moments.