Realwomen.co.nz

I have been thinking quite long and hard about this since I introduced this topic and in particular to my own answers to the two questions that I raised .
(1) Would Ibe happy to entrust this type of maintainance aspect of my health and well being to my pharmacist ?
(2) Am I always completely confident that my GP is right up with the play regarding the drugs, and/or combinations of drugs that he prescribes to me ?

My answers are yes to one, and no to two.
I guess that might surprise some of you.
I [b]always[b] get my prescriptions made up at the same pharmacy each time. A small practice, where the chemist who owns it greets his customers by their first names as they come in. He has two young ladies who work for him to look after counter sales, but he does all the dispensing . I realised just how important it was to deal with the one person always, when one day, he read my prescription, looked in the computer, and then asked, " Kate, are you still taking such and such ? ( a drug I had been prescribed at a previous visit to my Doctor)
When I said that indeed I was, he told me to take a seat, as he would have to call my Doctor, because what he had prescribed to me that day, was not compatible with the earlier one. He got the Doctor to authorise the alteration, and I went home very grateful that I had been saved from some rather unpleasant side affects. Since then, I have always gone out of my way a little bit, to deal with the same chemist, rather than just to one nearer home, or one nearer work, or whichever one was the most convenient on the day. I have complete confidence in my pharmicists ability, and he ALWAYS explains certain aspects of each prescription to me thoroughly, as to when and how and why to take it. Things like - it will be more effective taken on an empty stomach, or always take with food. This is usually after the Doctor has merely told me to take it 3 times a day with no other specific instructions.

The answer to (2) is really answered by my response to number one.
Of course, this is in my own personal case. I guess it all comes down to individuals. One thing is certain though - I believe it is very important to find yourself a good pharmacist, and to stay with him/her for all your needs.