An Unlikely Chronic Illness Partner?

Chronic disease is on the rise, affecting over 129 million American adults. In many cases, the chronic disease is here to stay, which means constant management of symptoms to achieve an ideal quality of life. For some chronic illness patients, this means managing multiple medications, doctor’s appointments, and tracking health details closely. Most patients have a primary care provider and a specialist who helps with disease management. While these experts are central to treatment and planning, many patients need help with the day-to-day management of the disease. Perhaps the most overlooked resource on the journey for chronic disease management is right around the corner. A local pharmacist can play a critical role that is more than someone who dispenses medication. For the patient who understands the real value of a local pharmacist, managing the disease is easier and more efficient.

Medication management and safety

A pharmacist is not only someone who dispenses medication. These are experts who must understand diseases and relationships with medication. In some respects, pharmacists have a deeper understanding of this relationship than doctors. The pharmacist knows how prescription medications should work and affect the body. This expertise means a pharmacist can catch issues or drug interactions that can be detrimental to treatment. One way a pharmacist can identify this is through a medication review. This service allows pharmacists to evaluate all medications and supplements, especially for patients managing multiple conditions. The review identifies duplicate medications, unpleasant side effects, and dosing issues. The pharmacist can then provide recommendations that improve management, reduces side effects, and helps with long-term treatment.

Ongoing support between physician visits

Chronic illness does not start and stop between doctors’ visits. This is an ongoing condition that requires consistent care between the long stretches between doctors’ visits. During that time, questions can arise, and new symptoms can form. Changes in diet or lifestyle can begin to impact disease management. Instead of self-diagnosing on the internet, get help from an informed professional like a local pharmacist. This medication expert is often readily available compared to a doctor or specialist. Pharmacists can answer typical questions, especially those concerning medication. Some pharmacists are even authorized to perform simple checks like blood pressure checks or blood glucose monitoring for more effective tracking. For conditions like diabetes or hypertension, pharmacists can provide some basic guidance on lifestyle changes to support changes. The pharmacist can be an important resource between visits without undermining the work of a chronic disease specialist.

Supporting medication adherence

Managing chronic disease often means using multiple prescriptions for symptoms. Even the best medication in the world will not work unless the patient uses the therapy consistently. Poor medication management is a common issue with chronic disease management. Patients can struggle with taking medication as prescribed. A local pharmacist can help improve adherence. Through medication reviews, pharmacists can uncover the root cause of poor adherence. Many can provide resources, simplify regimens, or synchronize medication refill orders to a single date. Local pharmacists often provide compounding services. With compounding, a custom solution can be created to address issues with standard prescriptions. The pharmacist can create a medication in a different form, an optimized dose, or remove certain ingredients. These options combine to make medication use as seamless as possible.

Making the most of this resource

A local pharmacist is more than someone who stores and provides medication. This is a knowledgeable, accessible resource, especially when managing chronic illness. Pharmacists can be underutilized, especially for patients who need more support. Medication management is arguably the most important part of treating chronic illnesses. A local pharmacist can provide tools to maximize medication use and minimize side effects. During the next medication pickup, ask a local pharmacist about the many resources, services, and support available. Patients are pleased to discover that a local pharmacist can help with chronic illness in many ways, becoming an invaluable health partner.