Transcript SGAs - NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

How to Utilize Your Pharmacist
In the Community Pharmacy
Setting
Susie H. Park, Pharm.D., BCPP
Assistant Professor
USC School of Pharmacy
[email protected]
NAMI
2007 Annual Convention
June 22, 2007
Introduction
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The role of the community pharmacist
The role of the patient or patient’s caretaker in
the community setting
Record-keeping of medication documentation
and history
The Role of the Community Pharmacist
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Medication evaluation
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Drug interactions
Polypharmacy
Counseling of proper medication use
Communicating with prescribers and other
health care professionals
Dispensing the correct medication, dose,
quantity, and refills
Polypharmacy
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Is more than one medication prescribed to the
same patient for the same thing?
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Therapeutic: Zoloft + Risperdal for OCD
Harmful: Ambien + Klonopin for insomnia
Does the patient receive medications from more
than one dispensing pharmacy?
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Pharmacy A: Lithium 300mg one capsule twice daily
#60 capsules dispensed
Pharmacy B: Lithium 300mg one capsule three/day
#90 capsules dispensed 3 weeks later
Medication Counseling
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Provide medication benefits and directions for
use
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Assess how the medication is working
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Have the symptoms been improving
Inform about any side effects
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What time of day to take certain medications
Discuss expectations and management
Inquire about other concomitant medications
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Screen for drug interactions
Communicating With Other Healthcare
Providers
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Clarify prescriptions with prescribers
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Is Seroquel 300mg added to the existing Seroquel
400mg or replacing it?
Discuss potential for drug interactions with
different prescribers
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Psychiatrist Dr. Mays prescribed lithium 900mg
twice daily for the past 9 years
Primary care physician Dr. Howe recently
prescribed losartan 50mg daily
Patient/Patient’s Caretaker
Responsibilities
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Know what the medication is being prescribed for
Be familiar with the name(s) of medications
Don’t leave the MD office until you can legibly read
the written prescription
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Have prescription called in directly
Tell the pharmacist if more than one pharmacy fills
prescriptions for the patient
Tell the pharmacist about any new medications begin
taken, including over-the-counter medications
Over-The-Counter Medications
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“OTC” = Non-prescription medications
Pain medications can increase lithium levels
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Bulk laxatives can interfere with medication
absorption
Heartburn medications can increase drug levels
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Cimetidine (Tagamet®)
Cold medicines can cause drug interactions
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Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, other combinations)
Naproxen sodium (Aleve®)
Dextromethorphan (found in cough syrups)
Phenylephrine (found in cold tablets and syrups)
Herbal products can cause drug interactions
Medication Documentation
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Keep track of current medications
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Keep the list updated
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Prescription and OTC
Ask your pharmacist to keep the list updated and
complete
See attached form
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For an e-mailed copy of the form, send request to
Susie Park: [email protected]
Conclusions
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Find a pharmacy you feel comfortable with
Stay with one filling pharmacy
Communicate with your pharmacist
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Ask questions
Keep updated medication information