Unfortunately, many men tend to be a bit casual with their healthcare and avoid or delay getting help or asking questions about symptoms they are experiencing or the medicines they are taking. This is especially true when it comes to mental health or something they feel is embarrassing. The good news is your community pharmacist is well placed to provide a wide range of advice and support.

Community Pharmacies are conveniently located almost all shopping centres, which might be a more accessible venue for those men who prefer to avoid engaging with the healthcare system. Most men are also quite comfortable entering a pharmacy to have a prescription dispensed, purchase over-the-counter medicines or treatments for minor sports injuries. However, they aren’t always aware of the other health services offered by their community pharmacy. Pharmacists can answer questions about medication side effects, provide a number of monitoring services such as blood pressure testing, blood glucose monitoring and cholesterol testing. A pharmacist can also provide advice and support on preventative healthcare strategies such as losing weight or quitting smoking.

Your community pharmacist will take the opportunity to counsel you when:

You are prescribed a new medicine

Your pharmacist is available to provide advice to you if you are starting a new medicine. If you have been prescribed a medicine for depression or anxiety your pharmacist may use the opportunity to talk to you about how the medicine works. They may discuss how long it might take before you notice any change in symptoms, what kinds of side affects you may experience, or whether it is safe to stop taking the medicine. They may also talk to you about other services in the community that you can access for help.

There is a change in dosage or frequency

If there has been an increase in the amount of a medicine that you have been prescribed, your pharmacist may speak to you about the importance of compliance with your treatment regime. By asking you a range of questions, your pharmacist can help promote health education and uncover any difficulties you may be experiencing in taking the medicine. For example, many pharmacies offer compounding services for those patients experiencing problems when taking medication. For example, stomach upsets when taking oral medicines; intolerances or allergies; they may dislike the taste of a certain medicines; or have difficulty swallowing pills. Compounding pharmacies work with your doctor to customise solutions for specific patient needs.

Medicines used in long-term therapy

If you have been taking a medicine for long-term therapy, your pharmacist may check in with you periodically to make sure the medicine is still working for you and you are taking it correctly. They may also ask if you are experiencing any side effects.

You are taking multiple medications

Unfortunately, non-adherence to medicines is quite common in people with chronic illnesses, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the treatment plan and the doctor may increase dosages unnecessarily. One of the ways your pharmacy can support you if you take multiple medicines and find it hard to remember what to take and when is through the use of a Dose Administration Aid (DAA). This can help make taking medicines safer by ensuring the medicines are taken at the right time and in the correct dose. A DAA provides an easy visual cue so that you can see at a glance what has been taken. If you delay asking questions about your healthcare, a private face-to-face chat with your pharmacist is the best way to find out more about the medicines you are taking and take control of your health.

Speak to the friendly team at Priceline Woden located in Westfield Woden Plaza, they are here to help.