How Does a Pharmacy Work?
- Pharmacies are places that store and sell prescription medication. Rather than attaining medication from a physician, most people will travel to a pharmacy after a doctor's visit in order to get medication for their ailments. Pharmacies can be found within some doctor offices, hospitals, supermarkets and drug stores.
- Pharmacies order drugs from drug companies and keep many medications on hand. Pharmacists are individuals that are trained and licensed to dispense these medications, many of which are illegal to possess without a prescription.
When you have a prescription from your physician, you can either take it to a pharmacy, and have a pharmacist fill it. Or you can have your physician call the pharmacy directly and tell the pharmacist what medications and dosages you are to have. Either way, you simply go to the pharmacy and pick up your prescription. - If you have medical insurance, pharmacies can often file insurance claims on your behalf. At the time you pick up your medication, you will only have to pay a co-pay. Pharmacies recover the unpaid balance of the medication directly from your insurance company.
Another benefit of using a pharmacy to get your medication is that you can speak with a professional pharmacist who understands medications. If you use the same pharmacy to fill all your medications, it is likely that your pharmacist can look at all the medication you are taking and determine whether any of them will interact. They can also tell you things to avoid while on the medication, caution you against side effects and clarify any dosage questions you may have.
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