Health Well-Well-BeingBeing H &ealth
aking medication is a fairly straightforward process when one or two prescriptions are involved but as one ages and the pharmaceutical need increases, sorting through the pills can offer quite a challenge.
or two prescri one ages and eases
T sort
For some, even organizing medications into daily doses with do-it-yourself pill cases isn’t enough because it runs the risk of a patient making a mistake. And when it comes to prescription medicines, those mistakes could be hazardous to their health.
This issue has been fully understood at the Northlands Co-op Pharmacy in Crescent Heights since it was fi rst opened more than 10 years ago and that’s why the little pharmacy-within-a-grocery-store has its blister-packaging program.
“Lots of people use this program these days,” says pharmacy manager Evan King of the program also offered at the 13th Avenue location. “There are more than 60 patients taking advantage of this right now and we are looking to grow to even more.
aking m straightfo
Northlands Co-op Pharmacy
“A couple of years ago we started seeing more and more demand for it. With an aging population, people are taking more medications in general and some of our clientele have higher needs than others.” Some patients take so many pills in a day that it can be quite nerve-wracking to handle themselves, especially when certain ailments are treated with a specifi c combination of medications that must be taken following precise doctor’s orders. “If kids are taking care of their parents or the parents are wanting to be independent and don’t want to go to a continued- care facility yet, this program helps them maintain some of that independence because they can still dose their own medications,” King says.
He says blister packaging also helps loved ones keep track of whether or not medications are being taking or if they are being taken at the right times. That ensures stress relief for more than the patient, as those who worry for them can rest a little easier.
“There is no extra cost to the blister
Northlands Co-op Pharmacy
packaging but we will only do a 28-day supply at a time.”
Having a dedicated and caring professional relieve the stress of such an important part of a patient’s life is more than worth the monthly trip to the Co-op for the Hatters already enjoying the program. King says it’s the ‘dedicated and caring’ part that truly gives those patients peace of mind.
“There is a lot of work and expertise that goes into managing this program,” King says. “They put that trust in us because they know we really do care about them.”
That’s what being a Co-op is all about, which incidentally, is another great reason to fi ll your prescriptions at their pharmacy. Since the Co-op is community owned, members enjoy the same profi t distribution at the pharmacy that they would from shopping at the grocery store or gas stations.
Stress-free health care and some added money in your pocket? Seems like pretty decent combination.
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