At the Pharmacy

The pharmacy is an important part of the American healthcare system. Whether you are picking up a prescription from your doctor or buying an over-the-counter medicine, knowing how to interact with a pharmacist will help you stay healthy and save money.

When your doctor gives you a prescription, you can take it to any licensed pharmacy. Major chains include CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Walmart Pharmacy. Many grocery stores like Kroger and Safeway also have pharmacies. When you arrive, give the prescription to the pharmacist along with your insurance card and a photo ID.

Always ask whether a generic version is available. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and are approved by the FDA to be just as effective. They are almost always cheaper — sometimes by 50% or more. Your pharmacist is legally required to tell you if a generic is available.

Read the label on your medication carefully before taking it. It will tell you the dosage (how much to take), how often to take it, and any special instructions such as "take with food" or "avoid sunlight." If the label is difficult to understand, ask the pharmacist to explain it in simpler terms.

Pharmacists are highly trained and can answer questions about your medications at no cost. Do not hesitate to ask about side effects, drug interactions (reactions between two medications), and whether a medication is safe to take during pregnancy or with a specific health condition.

Many pharmacies offer automatic refills so you never run out of medication. You can also request to have all your medications synchronized so they all run out on the same day — this means only one trip to the pharmacy each month.

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