The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Did you know that by doing something as simple as taking your cholesterol lowering medication with grapefruit juice in the morning, you can be harming your health? Today there are approximately 22,000 drug products on the Canadian market. Medicines have great power to treat illness and improve the quality of life for millions of Canadians. But they can also do harm if not taken correctly. Each year, Health Canada receives thousands of adverse drug reaction reports but we know this is only a fraction of the incidents that actually occur. How can consumers get more information about the proper use of prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) products? Who can they talk to about potential side effects to be on the watch for? Pharmacists dispensed 381 million retail prescriptions last year, but consumers can turn to their pharmacist for more than just the filling of a prescription. Today's pharmacists work with their patients to understand their medication needs and how to best meet them. This is called "pharmaceutical care", and it's all about identifying, resolving and preventing medication-related problems. Some tips for consumers... To make the most of your medications, use only one pharmacy so all your medication records are at one location. Pharmacists who know their patients and have their medication profiles on file will be aware of possible harmful drug interactions or allergies to certain drugs. The pharmacist will also be able to discuss possible side effects; what foods, drinks or activities to avoid while on a medication; and what to do if you miss a dose. Talk to your pharmacist if you are unsure about how to take or store your medications, or any problems you are having. When buying an OTC medicine, such as cough syrup or headache pills, talk to your pharmacist to make sure it is the best way to treat your symptoms. Don't leave the pharmacy before you have the answers to all your questions. With a minimum of five years of university training in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacists are the drug experts. Over the past number of years, they have expanded their role within the health care system to provide a range of services for their patients. These include taking medication histories; maintaining patient drug profiles; providing recommendations to patients on OTC products; working with patients to maximize benefits Ð and minimize adverse effects Ð of drug therapy; and monitoring adverse drug reactions. So consult with your pharmacist, your local drug expert, and work with him/her to stay healthy!7/3/05
