Pharmacy Technician Day: Showing Our Gratitude
October 18th is National Pharmacy Technician Day– a day to recognize the critical contributions made by these front-line healthcare team members to ensure patient health and safety.
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Patient Engagement
Providing Care Beyond the Counter
The majority of patients and caregivers see pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in the retail setting behind the counter. What they don’t see are the various tasks that pharmacists providing care are doing beyond the counter.
A Pharmacist’s Life
One-third of human life is spent working. Pharmacists are devoted to taking care of patients for a large percentage of their lives.
Health Literacy Month: The Need for Medical Knowledge
Have you found yourself up late at night, feeling sick and searching on the internet what the best home remedy is for your symptoms? If yes, you know how difficult it is navigating health information and understanding what the best choice is for your health.
And The Beat Goes On…
Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s number one killer, causing over 18.6 million deaths every year. As we celebrate World Heart Day today, take the time to pause and find ways to keep your heart healthy to keep the beating going.
Yoga: A practice that is more than athleisure wear
Yoga, originating in India, has been around for over 5,000 years and has been a way to boost physical and mental health. Yoga is a practice in many different forms including breathing techniques, meditation and poses.
Personal Resilience for Caregivers: What Is It and How Do I Strengthen It?
Why do some caregivers experience high levels of gratification and positive return, but others experience burnout and stress from caregiving? When examining these two outcomes, it is important to recognize an important factor: resilience.
My Journey with Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease remains close to my heart as I suffer from hypothyroidism and understand the struggles and difficulties with living with this disease.
4 Ways to Increase Patient Engagement
One of the top priorities for healthcare providers should be to ensure that patients are active participants in their treatment, care plans, and overall well being.
Why Are Some Medications Recommended to Take With Food?
Written By: Mark Rogers, Pharm. D There are three main reasons that some medications are recommended to take with food: 1. Reduce Side Effects One of the most common side effects of many drugs are GI-related, such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, heartburn, and gas. For medications with these or related side effects, taking them with food can help minimize or eliminate the discomfort. Additionally, for drugs like aspirin that can irritate the stomach lining, food
Navigating the World of Over-The Counter (OTC) Medicines: What Medication is Best for Heartburn (in no particular order)
Written By: Mark Rogers, Pharm. D Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) The drugs available as OTC in this category includes the brands Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix (I recommend buying the generic equivalent to save $$). PPIs are the most effective heartburn drugs available OTC, but with a few caveats. They require a day or two to reach full effect & provide significant relief. As such, they should be taken on a routine basis, not just as needed
Navigating the World of Over-The Counter (OTC) Medicines: What Medicines Are Best for Headache/Pain? (in no particular order)
Written By: Mark Rogers, Pharm. D Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Acetaminophen is generally effective for mild-to-moderate pain and headaches. Oddly though, we still do not fully understand how it works. Be careful though, acetaminophen is however one of the most dangerous OTC drugs, responsible for thousands of overdoses and hundreds of deaths every year. The reason is that it can be hard to keep track of a daily dose, since it is used in so many combination
Top Tips For Dealing with Medication Side Effects
Written By: Mark Rogers, Pharm. D So you started a new medication that your doctor says you really need to be taking. The problem is, the side effects of the drug are less an ideal. You’re having stomach cramps. Or diarrhea. Or your heart is racing. So what’s the best way to manage them? Let’s first take a step back. Adverse medication side effects are the secondary or unintended effects of a drug. They can
Pharmacist Recommended Cold & Flu Medicines That Won’t Break the Bank
Written By: Mark Rogers, Pharm. D As a pharmacist for 12 years, two of the most common questions I am asked are, “What is the best medicine to take for the cold and flu?” And, “How much does it cost?” Here are my top recommendations that won’t break the bank: 1) Headache, Fever, Muscle Aches, Sore Throat — Ibuprofen (Advil) & Acetaminophen (Tylenol) I often use a combination of the two drugs, separating each by 3-4 hours