How to Be a Good Pharmacy Customer

Good customer service is essential for any business, but it is also important to be a good customer. Your relationship with your pharmacist may be one of the most important professional relationships in your life, especially if you have a chronic illness. An increasing number of people rely on prescription drugs to maintain their health, so a good relationship with your pharmacist and his staff can be a real asset to your health. There are several important ways to be a good customer at your local pharmacy.

Things You'll Need

• Medication list
• Insurance card
• Photo identification

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Instructions

• 1

  Know your personal information or the person's information for whom you are picking up the prescription. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians need the patient's correct name, birth date, address, phone number and current insurance card to fill a prescription. Some states require a photo ID to fill certain prescriptions, so take a photo ID with you when filling a prescription at your pharmacy.

• 2

  Communicate what you need as quickly and clearly as possible. Educate yourself about the medication ahead of time, so you can prepare a checklist of specific questions. Pharmacy personnel appreciate when customers arrive at the pharmacy educated and prepared.

• 3

  Ask specific questions now to avoid calling the pharmacy later. For example, when filling a new prescription, ask the pharmacist how you should take the medicine and what you should do if you miss a dose. Asking these questions while you are at the pharmacy prevents having to call later during busy pharmacy hours.

• 4

  Provide a current list of medications for your pharmacist. Include prescription medications, dietary supplements and herbal formulas that you take on a regular basis. Some over-the-counter medicines on your list may interact with a new prescription, so keep a current list on file with your pharmacy.

• 5

  Tell your pharmacist if you have had an allergic reaction to any medicines in the past. According to Medline Plus, allergic reactions are caused by an over-reactive immune response to a specific medication and can cause hives, skin rashes, wheezing and swelling of the tongue, lips or face. The pharmacist can check your information on file and prevent an allergic reaction by calling your physician for a different medicine.

• 6

  Close your cell phone and quit texting before your turn at the register. This sounds like a simple request, but people ignore this simple act of respect all the time, resulting in longer lines, delayed transactions and unhappy pharmacy staff. Show respect by being ready when your name is called.

• 7

  Order prescription refills in advance to give pharmacy personnel time to prepare your medicine. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians fill hundreds of prescriptions every day and sometimes orders get backed up. If possible, use your pharmacy's automatic refill service to have medicines you take on a regular basis refilled automatically each month.