Every October is American Pharmacists Month. The month-long observance recognizes the important role local pharmacies play in providing accurate information regarding medications and offering preventative medications and suggesting alternatives to help keep health care costs low.
As a way to highlight the importance of the month, Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources (ADRC) has scheduled six free special presentations of “The Power of Your Pharmacist” throughout the county:
- Oct. 11 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sumner Library, 1116 Fryar Ave., Sumner
- Oct. 12 – 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Ave. S., 7th Floor Conference Room, Tacoma
- Oct. 12 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Graham Library, 9202 224th St. E., Graham
- Oct. 15 – 10 to 11 a.m. at the Sound View Building, 3602 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma
- Oct. 17 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the University Place Library, 3609 Market Place W., University Place
- Oct. 19 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Parkland Spanaway Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S., Tacoma.
“The Power of Your Pharmacist” is meant to acquaint individuals with how to best take advantage of the skills and resources that pharmacies can offer. Pharmacists do far more than dispense medications. They can also give advice on side effects, drug interactions and alternative medicines. The reality is that pharmacy shelves are loaded with helpful products, many of which used to be available only by prescription.
Consumers have access to over 370 retail pharmacies in Pierce County plus countless pharmacies by mail. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2015 Washington retail pharmacies filled almost 93 million prescriptions, a slice of the over 4 billion prescriptions dispensed nationwide.
“We all want good health,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources manager. “However, sometimes finding the best information and remedies may be difficult. We all know pharmacists distribute prescriptions. But they can also play a critical role in providing much more ranging from information about how prescription drugs work and their side effects to over-the-counter remedies and medication reviews. Pharmacies are often the best source of help for more common daily concerns that may not merit a doctor visit.”
The workshops are public, free, information-only presentations sponsored by the Pierce County ADRC in collaboration with area pharmacies. No RSVP is required. For more information call (253) 798-4600.
