Thanks to newer technology, people are living longer, and seniors are making up more of the population than ever before. Based on 2020 census data, 1 in 6 people in the US are 65 or older, up from 1 in 20 in 1920.
The rising population of people aged over 65 creates a greater need for support as patients face increasingly complicated care. Medication adherence, or taking your medications as prescribed, is essential to consider with this population, which is usually on multiple maintenance medications.
As we start the new year, this article looks at current and upcoming pharmacy trends and why they’re important to you as a patient.
Your Pharmacy is a Center of Your Healthcare
In the new year, patients should consider placing their pharmacy at the center of their healthcare instead of just one small part of it. The pharmacy you utilize to provide your medications can majorly impact your health and overall well-being.
When selecting a pharmacy, try to pick one where you can have a personal relationship with your pharmacist. When your pharmacist takes the time to get to know your medical situation and medication routine, they’re able to provide you with a higher level of care and contribute positively to your medication adherence.
Having a close relationship with your pharmacist is essential, especially if you have a chronic condition or complicated medication regimen. When you center on one pharmacy for your ongoing care, it could reduce potential complications and assist in your overall well-being.
The Impact of Polypharmacy
Polypharmacy, or utilizing more than one pharmacy for your medications, prescription or not, can have dangerous effects on your health. When you utilize multiple pharmacies, chances are the pharmacists at each location only know about the medications they fill for you and are unaware of any medications you receive at a different pharmacy.
If your pharmacist isn’t aware of all of the medications that you are currently taking, you run a risk of taking medications together that could have harmful interactions. Even over-the-counter medications, such as NSAIDs, can have potentially life-threatening interactions with other medications.
Pharmacies need to get smarter about the impact of polypharmacy, especially as the population with a greater need for complicated healthcare grows.
Online Pharmacies and Patient Care
Utilizing a good pharmacy combined with proper medication adherence is a formula for good health. Delivery pharmacies, such as PersonalRX, build patient care into their business model, making them a fantastic option.
With PersonalRX, you’re assigned a dedicated Personal Care Coordinator who’s available anytime you have questions about your medications. Because you have this point of contact, you don’t have to worry about your medication information getting lost somewhere down the pipeline as you may have to with a traditional brick-and-mortar retail pharmacy.
Additionally, PersonalRX sends you your medication every month in pre-sorted time-of-day dose packs so that you can easily stick to your medication regimen. The convenience of their service and the higher level of patient care they provide gives you that perfect combination of a good pharmacy and medication adherence, equating to good health.
As the way we get our medications changes, it’ll be vital for patients to consider utilizing one pharmacy as their center of care for their medications. Selecting a pharmacy with a higher level of care can contribute to medication adherence and your overall health and well-being.
