5 Benefits of Using a Local Community Pharmacy

Whether you’re stopping off to buy something to improve your headache or refill your medication, your pharmacy team will know you well enough to give you the right advice each and every time.

But with an increasing number of people relying on mail-order pharmacies, is the time of the local pharmacy over? While some people think so, nothing could be further from the truth. Visiting and staying loyal to your local pharmacy brings very clear benefits that you won’t get online. From personalized service to cheaper products and delivery options, here are five of those advantages.

Individualized Advice

Because your pharmacist knows your personal health, they can also make suggestions for daily self-care that are better suited to your needs.
Here is an example; let’s say you have high blood pressure but you catch a terrible cold. Your pharmacist would advise you to avoid taking cold medicines that contain stimulants such as phenylpropanolamine or ephedrine, as these can raise blood pressure.
If you choose your cold medicine yourself or visit a pharmacy that is unaware of your medical condition, this point may be overlooked. And this could lead to dangerous complications that could cause harm.
Instead, your pharmacy care team can look at your illnesses, medications and medical history to choose the safest and most reliable over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for your needs.

Save Money on Expensive Prescriptions

Your local pharmacist will know your health insurance situation and work closely with you to find the most cost-effective solution. This leads to lower overall costs for OTC and prescription medications, regardless of what you’re attempting to treat.
It is not always simple to find substitutes or cheaper versions. If you are prescribed an expensive medicine and order it online, you will be given the standard pharmacy brand. There are few substitutes and it is often cumbersome to apply for a replacement.
Meanwhile, your local pharmacy can review your prescription, look at your insurance and what it covers and then make on-the-spot replacements that are easier to take, cheaper or make more sense for your needs. It’s fast, efficient and saves you money!

Working With Your Physician

Are you wrestling with a chronic illness? Maybe you’ve been trying to get rid of a chest infection for weeks. When initial treatment plans don’t work, doctors often change medications or adjust doses to compensate. But going back and forth between the doctor’s office and the pharmacy can be a stressful and time-consuming process, especially if you’re already not feeling well.
That’s where the working relationship between your doctor and pharmacy comes in.
Most local pharmacies have excellent working relationships with local doctors. If your doctor prescribes something that doesn’t make sense for you, they can contact your doctor by phone to change the prescription. This saves you traveling and reduces the time spent traveling between offices.
Of course, phone calls are usually limited to non-narcotic medicines – but it’s still time saved that allows you to rest and heal instead of running around.

Convenience

We’ve all had days like this: you pick the kids up from school and then stop for a refuel. Then you have to stop at the grocery store to buy milk. Then you have to go to the hardware store again to buy something. Maybe even stopping at one more place for something else. It’s a waste of gas and time.
Most pharmacies these days also sell basic groceries like eggs, bread and milk. Many pharmacies also sell toiletries such as feminine hygiene products, shampoo, conditioner, make-up, first aid, mobility aids, braces, and crutches. Rather than stopping at several places to buy these products, you can buy them all at once from your local pharmacy.

Have Your Medications Compounded

When you choose to use a local pharmacy, one of the major benefits is their ability to tailor your medication for you. If a particular formulation doesn’t work, whether it’s a lower or higher dose or if you’re allergic to a particular filler, a pharmacist can often make up a safer and newer version for you.

There is a common misconception that pharmacies only deal with medicines but this is not true. First and foremost, you should consider your pharmacy care team as an available and patient source of advice when you need it most. We recommend Point Cook Pharmacy in Melbourne for your pharmacy needs. With over 15 years of experience with highly trained and certified pharmacists, you will be in good hands.