What made Clark Kent so appealing? The contrast between his unassuming everyday persona and the superhero underneath was so extreme that it captured everyone’s imagination.
Perhaps that is why pharmacists continue to rank so high in public esteem. A mild-mannered pharmacist doesn’t even need to duck into a phone booth to save lives.
One in particular is making a big difference through the example he sets. Tony Civello [pictured left] is CEO of Kerr Drug, a chain of pharmacies throughout North Carolina. We are proud to have Kerr Drug underwriting our syndicated radio show. Here’s why Kerr Drug is a leader in pharmacy-based health care services.
When Joe’s grandfather was a pharmacist at the turn of the 20th century, drugstores were community gathering places. The pharmacist was often called upon to give health care advice and keep track of how well his customers were progressing.
Under Tony Civello’s leadership, Kerr Drug has gone back to the future to create community health care centers. Such stores have private rooms for counseling and space for health screening.
Kerr has developed a nationally recognized program of medication therapy management (MTM). Pharmacists in this program help monitor patients with chronic conditions like diabetes to make sure that they are getting optimal results from their medication, diet and exercise program. Unlike many drugstores where the pharmacist is sequestered away from the public, Kerr pharmacists are in full view so they can answer questions easily.
Pharmacists at Kerr are vigilant for incompatible drug combinations that could be especially dangerous. Older patients in particular are offered the opportunity to review all of their medications to make sure there are no duplicates or deadly drug interactions.
Every day pharmacists protect patients from mistakes, side effects and interactions. They don’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, but they are more accessible than other health professionals. You don’t need an appointment to consult a pharmacist and you don’t have to pay extra for this life-saving service.
To benefit from your pharmacist’s knowledge and skills:
- Plan ahead. Time your visit for early in the morning or late at night when the pharmacist is likely to be less busy.
- Don’t rush the pharmacist. Drop your prescription off, then pick it up when he or she has time to talk with you.
- Give your pharmacist all the facts. List your drug allergies and all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Include vitamins and herbs.
It is estimated that over 100,000 people die each year from medication errors. Another 100,000 perish because of adverse drug effects. That makes medicine the third leading cause of death in the U.S., right after heart disease and cancer.
Your pharmacist can help protect you from getting the wrong drug, the wrong dose or the wrong combination. Know exactly what your doctor prescribed and why, so you can verify the name of the drug and the dose before leaving the pharmacy. If you have any questions, be sure to ask the superhero behind the counter.
