Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, especially for a quick consult. Pharmacists have the training and experience to answer most common health related questions. All of this is typically provided at no charge - so why not utilize them?! That said, pharmacists can sometimes be busy with their work so please be patient and respectfully wait until they reach a stopping point in their work in order for you to receive the best service.

The pharmacy team may not automatically provide some information (e.g. medication discounts) unless you ask for it - so knowing what to ask for is important!

Examples of topics pharmacists can help with:

• Provide drug information: what it's for, how it works, how to take it, side effects, storage, what to do with missed doses, drug interactions, and much more.
• How to treat common ailments and when to seek further care.
• Give advice that can lead to significant cost savings (e.g. find medication discounts or suggest cheaper alternatives).
• Provide most immunizations, including those needed for travel. Please note that this can vary by state law (e.g. age restrictions) so please consult your local pharmacy.

I highly recommend everyone in a non-emergency situation talk to a pharmacist before scheduling other healthcare visits. Pharmacists can quickly determine whether that other visit is worth it! For example, just because you are coughing or sneezing for a few days doesn't mean you need antibiotics! Often times visits to physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are not necessary for common ailments and will lead to surprisingly high, unnecessary bills - even for those with insurance!

Pharmacists are a secret weapon against the ignorance tax!

That is all for the essentials. If nothing else, these essentials serve as a reminder for myself. If you have found this helpful, please share this with as many people as possible. If you have suggestions or comments, please don't hesitate to click here to give feedback.