Ask a Pharmacist
Sometimes, a question comes to hand that only a registered pharmacist will be able to answer. At Skilled Care Pharmacy, our team of experienced pharmacists is always available for emergency questions, but if your pharmacy question is less urgent, you may wish to look through the Frequently Asked Questions below or click on Submit a Question for a personal reply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I call to review a resident’s formulary?
Can assisted living patients receive 90-day supplies of medications?
What if a resident needs infusion therapy?
How are patients protected from negative drug-drug interactions?
How do I learn about drug side effects?
If I have questions about how a drug should be administered, who should I call?
What are key concerns regarding storage of drugs?
What’s the true interpretation of an “unnecessary” drug?
Who should I call to review a resident’s formulary?
If you have questions about the medications being received by one of your residents, you should talk to the pharmacist dedicated to your facility. If you don’t know who that is, click here for the Customer Care Team or contact your account representative.
Can assisted living patients receive 90-day supplies of medications?
In some, but not all cases, three-month supplies of medications are available to residents who are self-medicating. Contact your dedicated pharmacist in each specific case.
What if a resident needs infusion therapy?
We offer a full range of IV and other infusion therapy services, including on-site venepuncture assistance, IV therapy training and support devices such as infusion pumps.
How are patients protected from negative drug-drug interactions?
Our Consultant Pharmacists regularly review formularies and work with the resident’s primary care physician to make sure unnecessary medications are discontinued, dangerous medications are removed and the latest, most efficacious and cost-effective medications are used to maximize healthcare benefits.
How do I learn about drug side effects?
Drug information is available for all drugs dispensed by Skilled Care. Simply request that we include a drug flyer and whether you desire a professional or resident-centered version. Additionally, facilities are supplied with drug handbooks for the nurses to reference.
If I have questions about how a drug should be administered, who should I call?
The internal pharmacists at Skilled Care or your Consultant Pharmacist can typically answer those questions. If the concern is related directly to nursing skills or technique, then our staff of knowledgeable Nursing Consultants can provide instruction and insight for managing the medication.
Sometimes, residents are admitted to my facility on a lot of very expensive drugs. Can Skilled Care Pharmacy help reduce costs?
Absolutely! Known as the PAR Program, Skilled Care Pharmacy pharmacists routinely evaluate the drug profiles of all new admissions in an attempt to isolate opportunities for switching to formulary substitutions that are less expensive or instances where medications may be deleted with physician consent.
What are key concerns regarding storage of drugs?
Skilled Care Pharmacy routinely provides courtesy drug storage audits to assist facilities with proper handling of medications. Our # 1 consideration is storage per pharmaceutical manufacturer’s guidelines, particularly temperature and light restrictions. The second consideration is route of administration and assuring that internal and external drugs are not stored adjacent to each other. Lastly, we focus on security of medications by checking that all storage locations are locked and only authorized personnel have access to the medications.
What’s the true interpretation of an “unnecessary” drug?
No longer does a single diagnosis suffice as justification for medication use. Other factors must also be considered such as continued presence of symptoms or condition, correct monitoring of the drug according to standards of practice, appropriate dosage and duration and presence of debilitating side effects or adverse reactions. Consultant Pharmacists utilize the monthly Medication Regimen Review to assist facilities in isolating instances where drug use may be deemed unnecessary and to alert physicians through written recommendations requesting support and justification for the medication.
Submit a Question
Fill out the form below and type your question in the box provided. A personal reply will be sent via email.
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