What hospital pharmacists wish patients knew

Every day across Metro North Health’s facilities, hospital pharmacists help hundreds of inpatients and outpatients access the medication they require.

But did you know that as a patient, there are some important things to be aware of that can help the pharmacy team provide the best possible care?

The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) Pharmacist Assistant Director Erin Dunn said most importantly, it is vital for patients to ensure their treating team is aware of any vitamins and complementary medicines they are taking.

“Many patients don’t think of these kinds of products as medicines as they don’t require a prescription, however these products may still interact with other medicines and/or medical conditions,” she said.

“In addition, we sometimes find that some patients feel guilty if they have not been taking their medications as prescribed and are reluctant to share this information with their doctor or pharmacist.

“We know there are many reasons why patients don’t take medications, such as side effects, affordability and transport barriers, just to name a few, so it’s important to talk to your care provider so they can help address these problems.”

Many patients are understandably worried about side effects from medications, however Erin encourages them to also ask how a medication could positively impact their health.

“The decision to take a medication will be different for each patient, and it is important to have a conversation about both risks and benefits to make an informed choice,” Erin said.

“Sometimes patients in hospital can feel a bit overwhelmed and are just trying to get better, so aren’t in the right frame of mind to ask questions about their medication.

“We provide written information on their medication to read later and want to remind patients that we are always available to speak further regarding any questions once they go home.”

Finally, Erin would like to remind the community that while the internet can be an excellent tool for gathering medicines information, it is important to use reputable sources.

“We are finding more and more patients are using Dr Google, artificial intelligence tools and social media influencers for important medicine information,” she said.

“These platforms are not registered health professionals so it’s important not to rely on them for advice as it may be incorrect and potentially harmful.

“We encourage patients to only use reputable sources such as Therapeutic Goods Administration, Health Direct and National Prescribing Service Medicinewise to source information.”