Surprising Facts That Pharmacies Take for Granted But Will Blow Your Mind

Pharmacists and pharmacy staff often deal with a plethora of surprising facts and knowledge that might come as a shock to the general public. In this article, we’ll explore some of these lesser-known realities and how they impact both pharmacists and their patients. Let’s dive in!

Insider Announcements and Strategic Changes

Pharmacies especially independent ones like Caremark CVS, have recently faced major changes in how they operate due to insurance policies. For instance, starting this year, Caremark CVS, a major insurance provider in the United States, has adopted a new policy which affects independent pharmacies significantly. Any prescriptions that are not picked up directly from the CVS pharmacy and are instead sent by mail, will no longer be accepted if the patient resides more than 5 miles away from the pharmacy. This change puts a significant strain on independent pharmacies, which play a crucial role in providing mail-in services to special needs and shut-in customers. Instead of providing these services, CVS insists that customers directly interact with them, effectively bypassing independent pharmacies.

Furthermore, the practice of drug distribution centers "double-dipping" is another surprising issue within the pharmacy industry. These centers often offer factory rebates on certain drugs, which they then partially pass on to their customers. However, these same centers are known to report these rebate amounts to the insurance companies that represent their pharmacies. Consequently, pharmacies are forced to pay fees that negate the discounts they would otherwise receive. This is a clear case of exploitation, where the drug manufacturers and distributors are pulling a “trick” on the pharmacies and their customers.

Make Sense of the Invisible Code

In the world of pharmacy, the practice of writing prescriptions in Latin and Greek is a common yet surprising fact. Prescriptions, once filled with the complex language of medical professionals, are now predominantly written in the common language of the patient. This shift towards plain language makes it easier for healthcare providers to communicate with patients, but it still remains a continual presence in prescription writing for certain drugs.

According to pharmacists, a significant milestone that children should reach is 12 years old for the majority of medication dosing. This is a surprising fact as it shows that 12-year-olds are often regarded as small adults in terms of their medical needs. Patients and parents alike may find this surprising, as traditionally, the transition to adult dosages is not seen until later ages.

Pharmacies as Experts in Self-Care

Pharmacists are often the go-to professionals when it comes to managing and addressing health issues, yet they never charge for this advice. This is a common knowledge among healthcare professionals and patients alike, but it is surprising for many to learn that pharmacists are there for free advice, despite the complexity of the field they operate in.

Another surprising fact is that pharmacists are always willing to take the time to talk, even when they’re busy. This shows their commitment to their patients and the importance of clear communication in healthcare.

Products and Sales Strategies

The way products are stocked on pharmacy shelves is often an indication of their effectiveness. The most facings on a product shelf typically means it has been widely purchased and succeeded in the community. It’s important to note that this does not simply indicate a new product launch; it reflects the popularity of the product due to its proven success. Pharmacists know this, and they use it to guide patients in making informed decisions based on the proven success of the product.

Health Tips and Preventative Measures

Health tips provided by pharmacists are another surprising fact to many. For instance, cleaning the ears before a swimming vacation can help prevent swimmer’s ear, reducing the risk of ear infections in both children and adults. This simple measure, which involves softening earwax with chlorinated water, can be highly effective in preventing an unpleasant and potentially painful condition.

Interestingly, staying close to family and sharing germs a couple of weeks before traveling can help reduce the risk of travel illness. By allowing the family to "share" their "bugs," you can get those illnesses out of the way before the trip. This surprising fact highlights the importance of community immunity and can be a useful strategy for those planning a trip.

Additionally, it's important to know that hard water is not a bad thing. For children who do not drink milk but consume hard water, they can still get enough calcium for their bone development. This is a surprising fact as many associate hard water with negative effects, but it’s actually beneficial in the right context.

Pharmacists also emphasize the importance of not rubbing or scratching the eye with your fingers to prevent eye infections. Instead, using the first knuckle to rub the eye or itch can be far less likely to carry infectious bacteria. This simple tip from pharmacists helps prevent eye infections, and it's a valuable piece of knowledge for anyone concerned about eye health.

Lastly, pharmacists provide tips to save time at the pharmacy. Filling in personal information on prescriptions can help streamline the process. Pharmacies often hold prescriptions for 7 to 10 days, so submitting them the same day you visit and collecting them later can provide pharmacies with the time needed to resolve issues with the prescription, including doctor consultation and insurance clearance.

To swallow a tablet or capsule easily, pharmacists recommend taking a mouthful of water, tilting your head back, and dropping the tablet into the water. This method is effective as the water helps to flush the tablet down without feeling it. For capsules, taking the same approach but tilting your head forward can help the capsule float down more easily. Dry ingestion can cause the tablet or capsule to stick to the tongue, making it difficult to swallow.

These facts and tips demonstrate the wealth of knowledge pharmacists possess and the valuable role they play in healthcare. While many of these facts seem common to pharmacists, they can be surprising and enlightening to the general public. Understanding these facts can help both pharmacists and their patients make better-informed decisions and manage health effectively.