Suggested Speaker Notes
Slide 1
• This is a brief presentation about what you need to know about a pharmacy and how to navigate a pharmacy system.
Slide 2
• Doctors and pharmacists work together to help people who are sick. But there are differences between them.
• Medical doctors examine, diagnose and treat patients. Medical doctors diagnose patient conditions using examinations and tests. Based on their findings, they prescribe treatment and medications. Many physicians work in private offices, clinics, or hospitals.
• Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients and counsel patients on the safe use of medications. They also may conduct health and wellness screenings, provide immunizations, oversee the medications given to patients, and provide advice on health lifestyle. Pharmacists work in drug stores, grocery store pharmacy, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.
Doctor’s offices/ doctors / Pharmacies/pharmacistsUsually need an appointment / Do not need an appointment
Order medications (write prescriptions) / Prepare medications (fill medications)
Usually not open on weekends / Open weekends
If working with population from another country, you may ask
• How does a pharmacist or a doctor’s role differ in your country than in the US?
o knowing the difference can help us identify difficulties these population might face due to the different expectations
Slide 3
• Community pharmacists are the most accessible health professionals to the public.
• They prepare and dispense medicines in accordance with a prescription.
• Pharmacists counsel patients at the time of dispensing of prescription and non-prescription drugs.
• Pharmacists provide advice on variety of symptoms and when indicated, refer the inquiries to a medical practitioner. They can also help choosing a non-prescription medication for a minor ailment.
• Pharmacists are certified to vaccinate patients against influenza, pneumonia and many other vaccines.
• Pharmacists can be involved in disease state management in areas covering diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
• Pharmacists can take part in health promotion campaigns and programs, particularly on drug-related topics (e.g., rational use of drugs, alcohol abuse, smoking cessation programs).
• Pharmacists are there to answer your questions about medicines. Remember, pharmacists also accept questions over the telephone.
Slide 5
• Medications come in different forms.
• The type of formulation is also specific for particular route of administration.
• Different formulations of medications may benefit different group of patients.
• It is important for the patient to learn how to properly take or use the medication.
• Tablets are the most common used formulation.
Slide 6
• There are two different types of medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription medications.
Over-the-counter medications:
• Over-the-counter medications are used to treat minor ailments. These drugs DO NOT require a doctor’s prescription. These types of medications are available for purchase on store shelves. Over-the-counter medicines can be used by more than one person except some medicines are not recommended for sharing (e.g., Eye drops)
• You will have to pay for over-the-counter medications because they are not covered by insurance.
Prescription medications:
• Prescription medications can be used to treat both minor ailments and more serious illness.
• Prescription drugs are prescribed by a doctor and can only be dispensed from a pharmacy by a licensed pharmacist. Prescription medications are intended for use by one person only.
Slide 7
*Cue – Pass around sample OTC Medications and symptom chart for discussion NOW
For presenter - You may use a symptom chart to describe minor illnesses to limited English proficient participants. It is also recommended to use gestures, motions, and hand signals to dramatize the actions of the pictures as you go through them.
• These are samples of over-the-counter medications.
• You don’t have to talk to pharmacy staff to purchase these types of medications but you can always ask a pharmacist if you have questions about a medication or if you are not sure which one is right for you.
• Some examples of over-the-counter medications are:
o Cough and cold – Examples of OTC medication used for cough and cold are Advil Cold & Sinus, Robitussin, Tylenol Cold, NyQuil
o Fever, Headache, Mild pain – Examples of OTC medication used for fever, headache, pain are Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, Aspirin
o Diarrhea – Examples of OTC medication used for diarrhea are Imodium and Pepto-Bismol
o Motion sickness – Examples of OTC medication used for motion sickness are Dramamine, Bonine
o Allergies - Examples of OTC medication used for allergies are Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec
o Heartburn – Examples of OTC medication used for heartburn are Tums, Nexium, and Zantac
*Cue – Let each participant open different types of medicine bottles. Teach them how to open them if assistant is needed
• There are different types of medicine bottles. The child resistant caps are often used to protect children from accessing medications.
• It is important to let your physician and pharmacist know if you are taking any over-the-counter medications, herbal products, or supplements on regular basis because different medications may interact with each other.
Slide 8
For presenter – You can use sample OTC medications to practice reading medicine labels for different over-the-counter products.
o Active ingredient identifies the chemical or ingredients in the medicine that make it work. Check the active ingredient every time you take a medication to avoid accidental double dosing. Make sure you are not taking too much of the same active ingredient. Too much of an active ingredient can be harmful.
o What is the active ingredient in this medication?
§ Acetaminophen
• Strength shows how much of the active ingredient each tablet or capsule contains.
o What is strength of this medication?
§ 500mg
• Uses describes the symptoms that the medication treats.
o What conditions can be treated with this medication?
§ Minor aches and pains due to common cold, headache, backache, minor pain of arthritis, toothache, muscular aches, premenstrual and menstrual cramps. It also temporarily reduce fever
• Warnings tell you if you should talk to a doctor before you take the medicine, the possible side effects of the medicine, and what other medicine, foods, or situations you should avoid while taking this medicine.
o When should you stop using medication and consult a doctor?
§ If a skin reaction such as blisters or rash occurs
§ If pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days
§ If fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days
§ If new symptoms occur
§ If redness or swelling is present
• Directions explain specific number of pills or drug to take and the time of day to take them. You should never take more than the label says or more often/longer than the label says. Taking more of a medicine than directed can be dangerous unless told to do so by your healthcare provider. Also, for liquid medicines, be sure to use the correct measuring device. For example, a measuring cup/spoon or a syringe made for measuring particular medicine should be used.
o How should a 16 year-old boy take this medication?
§ Take 2 caplets every 6 hours while symptoms last.
• Other Information states additional important information such as how to store the medicine.
• Expiration date is the final day that the drug company guarantees the full potency and safety of a medication. It is recommended not to use medical products after they have expired.
For presenter – Recommend using your sample medications to ask questions on the expiration date of the sample medicines. You may also show a video on FDA recommendation on medication use and storage: http://youtu.be/oLLDBLyf3Rg)
Slide 9
• Medicine has more than one name. The active ingredient name is the name of the chemical in the medicine that makes it work. This is also known as a generic name. We just talked about acetaminophen.
• These names are quite difficult to remember or pronounce so a company may give an easier name to say or remember. This is the brand name. The brand name for acetaminophen is Tylenol.
• Both drugs are the exact same active ingredient, strength, dosage, intended use and effects, and safety. Generics and brand-name drugs may differ in shape, color, packaging, and/or labeling.
• Many people become concerned about the quality and effectiveness of generic drugs because these medications are cheaper than the brand name medications. However, the FDA requires generic medications be as safe and effective as brand-name medications.
• Once again, always check generic name of the medication when you take them to avoid taking the same medications with different brand names at the same time.
Slide 10
• Some dietary supplements may interact with your medications. Consequently, combining dietary supplements and medications could have dangerous effects.
• Discuss with your health care professional before taking any dietary supplement or medication (OTC or prescription) together.
Ø Let your doctor or pharmacist know which dietary supplements you are currently taking including the dosage and how many time a day you take them.
Ø If any change has been made on your routine intake of dietary supplement, let your health care professional know.
Slide 11
*Cue – Pass around sample scripts and prescription medication vials for visual examples NOW. Let each participant open child resistant and easy-off caps.
• Another type of medication is prescription medications. These medications can be used for more serious conditions.
• These medications can be used for conditions like:
o Infection
o High Blood Pressure
o Heart Condition
o Diabetes
• Some key points to know about your prescription medications.
o It is recommended that you know names and their dosage strength of each medication you are taking. Keep a list of all medications that you take (prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbal supplements, home remedies, and medical food) and share with your doctor or pharmacist.
(*Cue – Feel free to distribute My Medication Log)
o It is recommended that know purpose of the medications you are taking.
o Know how long you need to take medications and DO NOT stop taking medications because you feel better.
• If you are experiencing side effects, contact your doctor or a pharmacist.
• Please do not take someone else’s prescription medication. Just because two people have the same condition does not mean they can take the same medication
Slide 12
• You may need to take a prescription medication for a short-time or for a long-time.
• Short-term medications are needed to be picked-up only one time, perhaps take them for days or weeks until you are well. You will not have refills on your (Cue: point to 0 Refill on the left picture).
o Examples of short term illnesses are: Infection, flu, rash, ear ache, and severe pain.
• Many prescriptions will be for longer-term medications that you will take for months or years.
• These prescriptions are usually written for more than one month, which is called a “refill.” (Cue: point to 3 Refill on the right picture).
o Examples of these medications are for: Tuberculosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart condition, breathing problems, or for mental health.
Slide 13
• Refill tells how many times medication can be filled.
• If doctor wrote the prescription with refills, you can pick up the medications multiple times until refills run out.
Ask: How many times can you refill this one on the right? Answer: 5 times
Ask: How many times can you refill this one on the left? Answer: 3 times
• A refill may be for 1 month up to 12 months.
• After 12 months from the day the doctor wrote the prescription, the prescription is too old and the pharmacy cannot prepare the medication even if refills are left on the prescription. This date (expiration date) will be written on your prescription bottle.
• When you are asking for a refill on your medication:
o You can bring your bottles in to the pharmacy and ask for a refill as long as you have refills left.
o Or, you can call ahead to the pharmacy to place a refill order so you don’t have to wait at a pharmacy for a staff and a pharmacist to prepare your medications.
Slide 14
• If you have no refills remaining on your prescription then you may need to contact your doctor. A new prescription should be obtained if you are continuing the medication.
• Your doctor may want to examine you before supplying a new prescription or a pharmacy staff may be able to receive a new prescription from your doctor by contacting your health care provider.
• Make sure you contact your doctor or a pharmacist far enough in advance to avoid medication running out.
Slide 15
• Let’s explore how to read the label on your prescription medication.
• In BLUE is the name of the pharmacy that prepared your medication.
• In RED is the phone number for the pharmacy that prepared your medication. It is the number you can all if you have any questions or if you need to refill your medicine.
• In GREEN is the address of the pharmacy that prepared your medication.
• Each community pharmacy will have a different looking label but they all have this information on the prescription medication label.
Slide 16
• (Point Blue Box) This is the date the pharmacy prepared your medication.
• (Point Red Box) This number is called prescription number. It helps the pharmacy identify your order. You can use this number when you ask the pharmacy to refill your medicine.
• (Point Green Box) This is the name of the patient who should take the medication. No one else except this person should take the medication. It is dangerous to share medications.
Slide 17
• (Point Red Box) In RED is how you take your medication. Directions such as how many pills to take and how many times a day will be listed here.
Ask: How would you take this medication? Ex answer: 1 tablet at 7AM and 1 tablet at 7Pm
Ask: Should you take this medication if you don’t hae any pain? Answer: No