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Shopping Around: How to Choose the Best Pharmacy for Your Needs

Looking for the best pharmacy for your needs?

Want to make the best choice for you and your family?

Believe it or not, not all pharmacists are created equally. It can be hard to find one that you’ll be comfortable with and that offers you great service consistently over time. Finding a great pharmacy is hard work and it can be hard to tell if a pharmacy is right for you right off the bat.

Fortunately, there are some signs that you can look for early on to determine if a pharmacy is a right choice for your needs.

Below we’ll tell you what you should be looking for when choosing the best pharmacy for your needs.

1. A Great Location

One of the most important things you should look for in a great pharmacy is for it to have a location that is convenient for you. You likely won’t want to have to go all the way across town every time you need to have a prescription filled.

It’s important that you choose a pharmacy that is on your commute or that is by your house or workplace since a pharmacy that is far away can be very inconvenient for you later on. On the other hand, choosing to use an online Pharmacy may be even more convenient for you.

2. They Offer Quick and Accurate Service

While it can be hard to tell before you try a pharmacy for the first time, you should try to choose one that is consistent with what they offer and will always offer quick and accurate service.

Some pharmacies will drag their feet and take forever to fill a prescription while some will get your prescription together in no time at all. It will take some trial and error to find a pharmacy that offers superior service and speed.

Make sure that any pharmacy you choose is reliable and can give you great service. If not, you may want to keep looking for the right pharmacy for you.

3. Always Has Your Medication Ready

If you discover that a pharmacy you go to often doesn’t have the prescription medication you need available you may want to keep going in your search. Prescriptions should always be ready when a pharmacy says they will be and they should usually have the medication you need in stock when you need it.

While sometimes pharmacies will take some time to get your prescription, this shouldn’t happen every time. If they let you down in this aspect, you may want to continue your search elsewhere to find a pharmacy that can more reliably meet your needs.

4. They Take an Active Role

When choosing a pharmacist you should consider their demeanor and attitude as well. Some pharmacists may barely look at you when filling a prescription and won’t be friendly to you. Others will take an active role and will speak to you with a friendly demeanor. They’ll be interested in your needs.

Look for a pharmacist who is friendly and personable and who offers superior customer service. Make sure your pharmacist takes an active role in their job and always wants to give you the best service possible.

5. You Feel Comfortable Asking Questions

In addition to having a friendly demeanor, a pharmacist you go to should also be knowledgable and willing to answer any questions you may have.

A great pharmacist will help you understand your medication directions and will be able to talk to you about your own personal needs. They’ll also know what they’re talking about and will be a wealth of information.

Be sure that the pharmacist you choose is easy to talk to and is extremely knowledgable if you want to have the best experience.

6. They’re Aware of Drug Interactions

Any great pharmacist will also be aware of drug interactions and will keep track of any new reports and updates that come along on common medications. They’ll pay extra attention when filling your prescription to ensure that you’re not taking any medications you shouldn’t be.

A great pharmacist will be aware of drug interactions at all times and will keep it at the top of their minds. Make sure that your pharmacist is well aware of drug interactions when filling prescriptions.

7. They’re the Right Size

It’s also important to consider whether you want to choose to use a big chain pharmacy or a small local pharmacist. Each has its pros and cons but it’s important to choose a size of pharmacy that is great for your personality and individual needs.

Typically a smaller local pharmacy will give you better quality care and more personalized attention. However, a big chain may have more convenient hours and quicker turnaround times. They may also be more likely to have your prescription in stock already.

Be sure to consider your needs carefully and understand the differences in service between a big and small pharmacy before making your final choice. In the end, you may want to choose a mid-size pharmacy that offers the best of both worlds.

Choosing the Best Pharmacy For You

The truth is that it will take some trial and error to find a perfect pharmacist. You’ll probably visit several before you find one that really meets your needs completely.

However, once you find the right pharmacist you should become a loyal customer. By sticking with the right best pharmacy over time, you’ll be able to develop a great relationship that will make your life much easier in the end.