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2.  Learn more about your pharmacist’s role in managing your medications  Understand the importance of a strong relationship between you and your pharmacist  Understand the importance of medication safety programs such as the TakeAway program  Learn about the valuable services provided by your pharmacist, including MTM, immunizations and screenings

4.  2 years of pre-pharmacy coursework or a bachelor’s degree  4 years of graduate courses at an approved college of pharmacy  Optional trainings ◦ Residency ◦ Ph.D. program ◦ Board certified specialist

5.  Wide variety, including: ◦ Community pharmacy ◦ Long-term care ◦ Research and development ◦ Hospitals/health systems ◦ Veterinary pharmacy ◦ Managed care ◦ Consultant pharmacy ◦ Public health ◦ Nuclear pharmacy

6.  Your pharmacist plays an important role in helping to manage your health care by: ◦ Communicating with your physician and health care providers to optimize your medication therapy ◦ Checking your medications to ensure you receive the proper drug and dose for your condition ◦ Ensuring you know how to properly use your medications ◦ Being readily available to answer any questions you have about prescription or over-the-counter medications

8.  In the best interest of your health and safety, it is important to fill all of your prescriptions at the same pharmacy  Your pharmacist will be able to identify interactions between your medications with an accurate and up-to-date list  Frequent interaction with your pharmacist can serve as the foundation of a strong relationship with mutual trust, enabling your pharmacist to provide you with better care

10.  Pharmacists in the state of Iowa must offer to provide proper counseling on all new prescriptions to help patients safely use their medications  Counseling information should address ◦ What the medication is supposed to do ◦ When and how you should take your medication ◦ How long you should take your medication ◦ What effects you may experience while taking the medication ◦ Other information pertaining to your medication (e.g., avoiding certain foods or alcohol)

11.  Over 475 community pharmacies in Iowa offer the TakeAway medication disposal program  TakeAway accepts unused or expired prescription and over-the- counter medications and properly disposes of them ◦ Cannot accept controlled substances  TakeAway program goals include: ◦ Reducing accidental ingestion of medications ◦ Fighting medication abuse ◦ Decreasing the exposure of medications to the environment and water supply

13.  MTM services help to identify, prevent, and resolve medication therapy problems and provide education  MTM includes many diverse services pharmacists can provide to patients, including: ◦ Comprehensive medication review ◦ Patient medication list/pocket medication card ◦ Patient take-home goals and review points ◦ Follow-up with physicians  The goal of MTM is to help patients achieve optimal outcomes from their medication therapy while decreasing health care costs

14.  Many pharmacists in Iowa are trained and certified to administer vaccinations, which may include: ◦ Flu vaccine ◦ Shingles vaccine ◦ Pneumonia vaccine ◦ Whooping cough vaccine ◦ Travel immunizations

15.  Pharmacists are able to conduct many health screenings, including: ◦ Blood pressure ◦ Cholesterol ◦ Thyroid ◦ Blood glucose/sugar ◦ Bone density ◦ Body fat ◦ Hemoglobin A1c (diabetes) ◦ INR (blood thinners)

16.  What is your pharmacist’s name?  How many pharmacies do you use to fill your prescriptions?  What questions do you ask your pharmacist when you pick up your medications?  Has your pharmacist given you a vaccine?  What preventive health services has your pharmacist provided to you?  Do you have a comprehensive list of your medications?

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