Each time you are prescribed a medication, especially if you haven’t taken it before, the pharmacist must conduct several verifications. Your health is at stake.

For example…

Is the correct dose being prescribed?

For a medication to be effective, the dose must be appropriate.

• Is the dose too low? The medication will not have enough of an effect.
• Is the dose too high? The medication could be dangerous.

The pharmacist must also verify the dose depending on the condition to be treated and the patient’s weight, especially in the case of children.

Is the medication right for you, given your medication history?

This means any reactions that you may have had in the past. These could include an intolerance, an allergy, a side effect or an adverse reaction. In this case, the pharmacist will ensure that any new prescribed medications do not belong to a class of drugs that could cause you problems.

• For example, if you react badly to penicillin, be aware that similar drugs may cause the same type of reaction.

Is the prescription complete and written by an authorized person?

For your security, pharmacists ensure that all essential elements are present in your prescription. They also ensure that the professional who wrote it practices in that field. In addition to physicians, other health professionals are authorized to write prescriptions.

• For example: dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, midwives, etc. The pharmacist must take into account the established restrictions for each profession.

Is the medication contraindicated for other illnesses you suffer from?

There are many combinations of illnesses and contraindications. Your pharmacist is well aware of them, and will closely examine your file to make sure that your medications are suited to your personal situation.

• For example, if you have diabetes, your pharmacist ensures that any new drugs you are prescribed do not contain sugar.

Could there be interactions with your other medications?

• For example, one medication might cancel out the effect of another, or increase its toxicity.

Your pharmacist is aware of these situations and keeps this valuable data in your file. This is why you should always use the same pharmacy.