Relief Pharmacist

Ask a Pharmacist

When you walk into a pharmacy, prescription in hand, what should you expect? As you watch all those people in white coats, do you feel intimidated?

Have you ever left a pharmacy wishing you had asked more questions?

We have prepared checklists for some of the most common scenarios to help you.

Five Questions to Ask About Your Medications

It means changes to provincial laws to recognize pharmacists as prescribers of drugs.

Under a combination of federal and provincial laws, most drugs are only available by prescription. That is because it takes a trained professional to make the decision that these drugs are appropriate for you. When that decision occurs, that professional can issue a prescription for you when the law permits.

The federal law over regular prescription drugs recognizes pharmacists as prescribers when the same occurs under provincial laws. The laws in Saskatchewan have been changed to allow pharmacists to issue prescriptions under certain circumstances where they are trained to do so.

When picking up a new prescription

No, your pharmacist cannot prescribe Controlled Substances.

They include narcotics and other mood-modifying drugs. Pharmacists cannot prescribe drugs that can cause addiction or dependency and abuse.

If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding

While some medications are believed to have no effect on fetal development, some drugs may not be safe when taken by pregnant women.

“My pharmacist has been an excellent resource providing me with detailed information and high quality advice on the medications I needed to take during my pregnancy.  I trust his judgment because he has taken the time to ask me important questions; get to know me, my medical history and my needs as his patient.”

Jennifer, Regina

As the drug expert on your healthcare team, your pharmacist will be able to determine which of your medications are deemed safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and will work with your physician to weigh the risks and benefits of medication therapy.

• If I get pregnant while on this medication, what should I do?
• If you are taking medications while breastfeeding, what side effects should you watch out for in the baby?

Do your best to answers to the following questions for your pharmacist:

If pregnant

• What trimester are you in? Some drugs are not safe to take in certain trimesters.
• Have there been any complications from your pregnancy such as diabetes and blood pressure changes? Some drugs may make these conditions worse. 
• Which prenatal vitamins are you currently taking? Your nutritional requirements may increase during pregnancy and your pharmacist can help determine the best supplement for you.  

If breastfeeding

• How often do you breastfeed throughout the day? Some drugs can be dosed around breastfeeding times.   

If you want to stock your medicine cabinet

• What basic items should be stored in a well-stocked medicine cabinet?
  • to treat cuts and scrapes
  • in case of poisoning
  • for basic first aid
  • for flu season
  • for sun exposure

Check out our Tips for a well-stocked medicine cabinet.

When buying over-the-counter medication

These are some of the questions that your pharmacist can answer. 

• What is this medicine for?
• What is the active ingredient? What else does it have in it?
• Is it OK for children?
• Is it OK for people with XYZ condition?
• Is there a generic brand with the same active ingredient?
• Can I have the information leaflet for it?
• How does this medicine work?
• What can I expect to happen?
• Will I feel any different?
• How long will it take to work?
• How should I use this medicine?
• How much should I take? And, at what times of the day?
• How long do I need to take it for?
• How should I store this medicine?
• What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
• What about side effects?
• What should I do if I get a side effect?
• Are there any medicines I should not take at the same time as this one?
• Are there any special instructions?
• How do I use this device (eg, a puffer or spacer)?
• I have trouble swallowing tablets? What can I do?
• I can’t get the lid off the bottle. What can I do?

Check out our Tips for taking over-the-counter medication(s).

Can I ask my pharmacist about over-the-counter drugs? What about supplements and herbal remedies?

Yes.

Please talk to your pharmacist. Take advantage of your pharmacist’s knowledge about non-prescription drugs and alternative therapies.

Can I ask my pharmacist about over-the-counter drugs? What about supplements and herbal remedies?

Yes.

Please talk to your pharmacist. Take advantage of your pharmacist’s knowledge about non-prescription drugs and alternative therapies.