Skip to Main Content

UPDATED ADVISORY CONCERNING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES, THE PRACTICE OF “VAPING,” “JUULING” AND USE OF OTHER ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS OR ENDS

Board of Pharmacy

Why Should You Talk to Your Pharmacist?

Each year, up to half of the nearly two billion prescriptions taken in the United States are used improperly. The more you know about the medications you’re taking, the healthier you can be.

Your pharmacist has the education to help keep you informed about your prescriptions. Pharmacists must pass comprehensive licensing exams and complete continuing education requirements every year. Your pharmacist can also work with your health care practitioner to maximize the benefits of your medication.

What Should You Tell Your Pharmacist?

To help you get the greatest benefit from your prescription medications, your pharmacist needs to know the following about you:

  • The names of all prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking and the conditions for which you take them.
  • If you are allergic to any medicines.
  • If you have experienced side effects or other problems with medicines.
  • If you are or could be pregnant.

What Does the State Board of Pharmacy Do?

Your pharmacist receives information from and is regulated by the State Board of Pharmacy. Your State Board of Pharmacy:

  • Licenses all pharmacists and pharmacies in the state.
  • Inspects all pharmacies located in the state.
  • Enforces regulations and takes disciplinary actions when necessary.
  • Investigates and helps resolve consumer complaints.
  • Promotes education, wellness, and quality of life.
  • Advocates the highest quality of affordable pharmaceutical care.
  • Protects and serves the public health, safety, and welfare of pharmaceutical consumers.

Did You Know?

  • Medication related problems are responsible for an estimated 10 percent of all hospital admissions.
  • More than 23 million Americans age 65 years or older take, on average, between one and six or more prescription medicines each day.
  • Each year, more than 9 million adverse drug reactions occur in older Americans.
  • Studies show that 46 percent of children take their medicines incorrectly.
  • In any two-week period in the United States, 13 million children take a prescription medicine.
  • Seventy-one percent of pharmacy consumers believe it is important for pharmacists to counsel patients about the medicine they take.

Patient Bill of Rights.

You have the right to expect your pharmacist will:

  • Be professionally competent and adhere to accepted standards of pharmacy practice.
  • Treat you with dignity, consistent with professional standards for all patients, regardless of manner of payment, race, sex, age, nationality, religion, disability, or other discriminatory factors.
  • Act in your best interest when making pharmaceutical care decisions.
  • Serve as your advocate for appropriate drug therapy and make reasonable efforts to recommend alternative choices in coordination with your health care providers.
  • Maintain your medical records, keeping them confidential, using them routinely to maximize your care, and making them available to you for review upon request.
  • Provide counseling, using the methods appropriate to your physical, psychological, and intellectual status.
  • Have your prescriptions dispensed and pharmacy services provided at a pharmacy of your choice in an atmosphere which allows for confidential communication and in an environment which is private, properly lighted, well ventilated, and clean.
  • Monitor drug therapy within your medical regimen for safety and efficacy and make reasonable efforts to detect and prevent drug allergies, adverse reactions, contraindications, or inappropriate dosage.
  • Monitor your compliance and proper drug use and institute remedial interventions when necessary. Prominently post the Pharmacy Patients Bill of Rights.