Pharmacy

Pharmacists are medication experts who are trained to work together with your health-care team to make sure you receive the safest and most effective medication for you. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians review prescriptions, advise other health-care professionals on appropriate medications and their dosage and administration, monitor responses to medication, and educate patients about safe medication use.

Our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work hard to meet your medication-related needs and to help you reach personal health goals.

Medication preparation

We’ll get your medication ready safely, in the correct dose, and on time.

Medication history

We’ll work with you, your family or support person, and your health-care team to get a complete list of all the medications you use at home.

Medication management

• Pharmacists will work with your health–care team to determine:
  • which medications are the best choice for you;
  • how safe the medication is;
  • how well it will treat your condition;
  • how the medication is used or taken; and
  • provide information on approximately how much the medication costs.
• work with your health-care team to make sure you are given the correct dose of your medications at the correct time.;
• manage drug interactions (when a medication can cause problems if it reacts with another medication you are taking).; and
• depending on services offered in your location, work with you to understand your medication goals and to manage any side effects of your medications.

Prescribing medications

• We can continue prescriptions you had before you were admitted, so you will not miss any doses.
• We can help treat minor problems (like cold sores and allergies) and prescribe some medications.

Medication teaching

Depending on your location, pharmacists may be available to answer questions you have about your medications. They can help you learn:

• why a medication is used;
• how your medication works;
• how and when to take your medication, including special instructions such as taking it with or without food; and
• what to expect when you take your medication.

When you’re ready to go home, a pharmacist can help you learn about your medications so you feel confident taking them. They may also work with your community pharmacy so that your medication needs will continue to be met.

Health promotion

Pharmacists may:

• prescribe and administer vaccines;
• help you to decrease or stop smoking; and
• teach you about other healthy lifestyle choices.

Learning and teaching

The pharmacy team is dedicated to lifelong learning and to fostering the growth and development of the pharmacy profession. We are actively involved in teaching pharmacy learners including new pharmacy staff, students, and pharmacy residents.

We see patients in hospital, outpatient areas, family care teams, and other NL Health Services clinics and services.

To make sure your health-care team has all the information necessary to make a specific treatment plan for you, it’s helpful to bring a complete list of your current medications when accessing services in our facilities. Be sure to include:

• all medications prescribed by physicians, nurse practitioners, and/or pharmacists;
• any products you purchased without a prescription such as cough and cold medication, pain relief medication, etc.;
• vitamins, minerals, or natural/herbal medicines;
• medications taken in ‘different’ forms such as inhalers, creams, patches, eye drops; and
• other substances such as alcohol and cannabis.

 

If you would like to see a pharmacist during a visit to one of our facilities, please ask a member of your health–care team if one is available.  

Pharmacy technicians 

Pharmacy technicians are responsible for technical tasks in the preparation and distribution of medications. They follow high standards to ensure your safety and the accuracy of your medication while you receive care from us.  

Pharmacy technicians make sure medications are: 

• available when you need them; 

• stored safely; and 

• prepared accurately. This can include preparing complex medications such as chemotherapy.  

They may also be involved in gathering information from you, your family or support person, and your community pharmacy to create a complete and accurate list of your medications.  

Learn more about pharmacy technicians 

Visit the Canadian Association of Pharmacy Technicians.