Pharmacist

Pharmacist

Farmersis

Washington, DC

Female, 32

I've worked as a pharmacist in multiple settings, including retail (think Walgreens), a hospital, a nursing home, an outpatient clinic, and a regulatory agency. Over the past decade, I've counted more pills than Pfizer, Merck, and Lindsay Lohan combined. Ask me anything!

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34 Questions

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Last Answer on December 30, 2012

Best Rated

About the calling out the name of the medication thing, what if it's something really private -- like AZT to treat HIV...are you instructed to be more discreet about stuff like that?

Asked by Simon over 12 years ago

They should NEVER call out the name of the medication. And yes, they should be extremely discreet about HIV treatments.

Is there any real difference between branded medications vs generics? Besides the price, of course.

Asked by Whynot over 12 years ago

I'm going to defer to the FDA on this one... http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/UnderstandingGenericDrugs/ucm167991.htm?source=govdelivery

Are you trained in emergency care or CPR? Have you ever had to use it on a customer in the pharmacy?

Asked by art over 12 years ago

I am currently certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and was certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) in the past. I've never had to use it in the pharmacy, but I've been part of a team that responds to Code Blues.

My doctor once forgot to date a prescription, and the pharmacist not only refused to fill it, but CONFISCATED it from me! Is that standard protocol, and if so, WHY?

Asked by Simon over 12 years ago

I don't believe it's "standard protocol" to confiscate a prescription without a date on it. Although, if it was a controlled substance (think Vicodin, Percocet, etc.), I would have INSISTED on calling your doctor for you to rectify this mistake. You may have encountered a pharmacist who wouldn't take no for an answer!

Do pharmacies have a lot of employee theft of pills and medications?

Asked by SNJ over 12 years ago

I have not witness it myself, but I don't doubt it happens.

What separates a good pharmacist from a bad one? Like...beyond making sure that the prescriptions are filled correctly, what kind of feedback or results tell you that you're doing your job well?

Asked by annesmith over 12 years ago

Specifically for retail pharmacists, such as the ones you see in your local pharmacies, filling prescriptions correctly is their number one priority. They should also be available and be able to tell you about the medications they're filling for you, and answer your questions about prescription and over-the-counter medications.

What can I do if the pharmacy gave me expired SPRIX® (ketorolac tromethamine)?

Asked by Lori about 11 years ago