DUBOIS — More than 90% of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, and people visit their community pharmacist 12 times more frequently than their primary care provider, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 50% of the U.S. population uses at least one prescription medication a month, and approximately 40% of adults throughout the country are managing two or more chronic conditions.
“Building a relationship with your community pharmacist can lead to an improved understanding of your medications,” Michelle Bennett, Pharm D, BCPS, System Director, Retail Pharmacy for Penn Highlands Healthcare, said. “In addition, pharmacists are available to provide personalized advice and can help identify potential issues with drug interactions and side effects which ultimately result in better health outcomes.”
Pharmacists play many roles that include receiving and verifying prescriptions from providers, educating patients of dosage, side effects and interactions, assessing patients’ medication histories, staying current on the latest medication research and more.
“Patients who use the Penn Highlands Community Pharmacy in their region benefit because the pharmacy has access to their medical records within our health system which enables greater collaboration between the pharmacists and the providers,” Bennett said.
