by Tera Tuten on November 10, 2011
Did you know that marijuana was made illegal by passing a tax act in 1937? How does this work? You have to have a stamp to possess marijuana, but it’s illegal to possess marijuana without the stamp.
Today, pharmacists, physicians, and consumers are still faced with amazing and laws. Let’s look at some little-known facts that will make any health practitioner worth his weight in aspirin shake his head.
Something Good in Louisiana
After Katrina, most Americans like to wrinkle their noses at the powers that be in the Bayou State, but here’s an interesting fact: Louisiana is the first state to require that a pharmacist be licensed. This took place in 1806. Things get much sillier after this handy fact.
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by Tera Tuten on August 16, 2011
In a down economy, should pharmacists have to compete with robots for their job security? Some doctors and patients in about 200 locations think so. There are clearly benefits for consumers using pharmacy kiosks, but what about the inherent dangers? [continue reading…]
by Tera Tuten on May 11, 2011
One of the wonderful things about filling prescriptions at a local pharmacy, whether it is part of a national chain or locally owned, is that you know whom you are dealing with. While many well-known corporations allow customers to fill their prescriptions online, there are also more nefarious websites that target people who are trying to save money or who want medications that are not usually available in the United States.
For a pharmacist working in a brick and mortar store, customers defecting to online pharmacies could have devastating economic implications. There are numerous government and industry resources available to help educate your customers about the potential dangers of ordering their medications online.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a section devoted to warning consumers about the possible problems associated with purchasing medications over the internet. They provide details on how patients can help recognize counterfeit medications and how to tell if they have received the wrong medication, as well as warning signs that a website may not be legitimate. The site also has a variety of materials you can print and post in your pharmacy or give to customers when they fill a prescription.
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has a link to the licensure website for each state as well as for areas of Canada and New Zealand. Provide this link in any literature you may want to assemble for customers to help them make informed decisions.
The FBI has a brief overview of how consumers can help protect themselves from illegitimate online pharmacies. Print the article and post for customers to read in your pharmacy.
Of course, you don’t want to scare customers into thinking that all websites that offer to fill prescriptions online are providing inferior products or set up to obtain credit card information for malicious purposes. However, the threat of those situations occurring is quite real and more likely to happen with older individuals or people who are not aware of the possibility. By providing factual information and resources for your customers, you will help them make informed decisions. You may even be able to point to your own website as an example of what a reputable site looks like and how it can be verified.
How have you handled the increase in online accessibility of medications and the ability of customers to obtain those medications for a lower price than you are able to offer? Have you had patients come back with horror stories? Do you actively try to warn customers about the dangers that can be associated with filling prescriptions online?
by Tera Tuten on February 11, 2011
Being a pharmacist can make for a rewarding medical career: The pay-to-hours ratio provides an attractive quality of life. And the duties allow for meaningful interactions with patients. So much so that – time-and again – pharmacists are cited as one of the professionals Americans trust the most.
So what makes for a good pharmacist? In the interest of wit and brevity, we’ve narrowed it down to what we feel are the ten most important attributes:
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by Tera Tuten on September 13, 2010
As a pharmacist, you will be inundated with offers to join a variety of professional organizations and to gather certifications. You may wonder why you should bother with any of them, and today we will discuss the importance of geriatric pharmacy certification specifically.
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by Tera Tuten on August 10, 2010
The world of pharmaceuticals is constantly evolving as new medications are added to the market. As with any medical profession, it is important for a pharmacist to keep up with the latest information and innovations. This is where trade organizations become invaluable. There are numerous national and state pharmacy organizations. Today, we will discuss four of the most popular in the national arena. [continue reading…]
