When was the last time you actually had a conversation with a pharmacist? In the retail setting, it rarely happens anymore.
Sure, all the dosage info, instructions and interaction warnings are printed and stapled to the paper bag. But we doubt you’ll ever see “capsules may be opened and the contents sprinkled on 1 tablespoonful of applesauce, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, or strained pears” on that printout.
Those words happen to be in one of more than 1,000 Pharmacist Notes that accompany select savings suggestions and medication searches in our member portal. We added the feature late in 2017 in order to relay important clinical knowledge to members regarding their possible change in therapies, to inform both their physician and their own decisions.
Pharmacist Notes are continually added, vetted and updated by our pharmacy team as new drugs, data, discoveries and other research become available.
By the way, the note about pudding and applesauce? It was created for Lansoprazole 15mg delayed-release capsules, a savings suggestion for Prevacid¨ Solutab 15mg orally disintegrating tablets, for patients who may have trouble swallowing a capsule instead of the tablet. Pretty helpful information when considering a switch that can save more than $300 per fill!
Of course, there are potentially life-saving notes as well, such as this one for switching from Lyrica¨ to Duloxetine:
“Duloxetine is typically used at 60mg per day for nerve pain or anxiety, NOT for seizure prevention. If using Lyrica for seizure prevention, please disregard this suggestion.”
Or this one, for switching from Mydayis¨ to Amphetamine/Dexgroamphetamine, where proper dosage may vary in the alternative vs. the brand medication:
“Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine extended release is also typically taken once daily, but may require a dose adjustment. Please talk with your prescriber about the most appropriate dose to replace your current Mydayis dose.
“Each Pharmacist Note is drafted by an Rx Savings Solutions in-house pharmacist as if they were speaking to a patient at the pharmacy counter, their spouse, child or their own mother.
So, no, we’re not providing live, one-on-one conversations with pharmacists just yet. But stay tuned! Until then, our Pharmacist Notes are the next best thing.
