Under pharmacist supervision, technician independently performs tasks related to:

• Filling of medication orders
• Handle customer phone calls
• Coordinate transfer prescriptions from other pharmacies
• Accurate and timely...

If you are looking for ways to cut your medication costs, you aren’t alone! A report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that millions of adult American’s skip their medication because they can’t afford it.

Not taking medication as prescribed can cause serious problems, leading to unnecessary complications resulting in additional medical care. Whether you have no health insurance to help cover needed prescription medications – or if you have health insurance but your co-pays are prohibitive – there are ways to help!

Medicare Patients

Did you know that most folks save hundreds of dollars per year just by making sure that they are on the Medicare Part D plan that fits their medications properly? Medicine Center Pharmacies can provide you with a free plan comparison that will compare premiums, deductibles, co-pays and even tell you when you are projected to hit the donut hole.

If you are on Medicare you have the opportunity to either continue with your current Medicare Part D plan, or switch to a new plan during Open Enrollment.

Cash and Private Insurance Patients

Pharmacists can assist you in finding ways to save some money. You can ask for:

• A generic or similar medication
• Pill splitting works when there is little or no cost difference between low dose and high dose pills. With a low priced pill splitter you may be able to buy the higher dose version and save
• Manufacturer offered financial assistance (even coupons) for some high priced medications
• Volume or loyalty discounts for filling multiple prescriptions

Whether you are a Medicare or Cash/Private Insurance patient, there are often a number of strategies to save money. Your pharmacist is often the best resource available to help you save money on your prescription medications.

Many of our aging parents may be taking medications to treat ailments or disease. As someone who loves them, you may have concerns about the treatments and the difficulties of getting the correct dosages at the correct time. Here are three strategies for making sure your parents are safely taking their medications:

Communicate with your Parent and the Doctor

Ask your parent if they have been taking all of their medications correctly or if they have any concerns about their medications. If they have issues with the medications or schedule, it is important to consult their doctor to make the proper adjustments (DO NOT try to make these changes on your own). A doctor may be able to recommend alternative methods including extended-release pills, pill crushing or rescheduling.

Communicate with your Parent and the Pharmacist

Doctors check for interactions between medications, but a pharmacist is also available to be sure that all medications (and even over-the-counter supplements) are not interfering with each other. Pharmacists can often recommend alternative treatment if a medication has a certain side-effect or drawback. 

Try New Packaging Options

Often, a simple pillbox or pill packaging can be helpful in making sure that the correct medications are delivered on time. Here at Medicine Center, we offer multiple packaging options to make what can be a confusing ordeal an easy, stress-free process. 

One packaging option we offer is a weekly dosage card. These are arranged by day of the week and dosage time (morning, noon, evening, and bedtime), and each medication is carefully placed by the pharmacist in the appropriate time slot for each day of the week. To take the medications, you or your loved ones simply open the bubble pack on the correct day and time and take the medications contained in that slot.

Another packaging option we offer is our pill packet "baggie" system. In this option, the medications are packaged by date and dosage time in small, easy-open pouches. Each pouch is clearly labeled with not only the date and time, but a list of each medication in the pouch and their physical descriptions for your peace of mind. The pouches are connected in a strip which is put into a small box; taking your medications is as easy as tearing open the pouch and pulling out the strip so that your next dose is ready and waiting.

Each of these packaging options is an easy, cost-free way to stay organized and on track with your medications. Whether you need help organizing your own medications or have a loved one who struggles to manage it on their own, pharmacists want to help you take control of your medications with confidence, convenience, and care.

(Parts of this post adapted from http://www.pronvest.com/seeing-mom-dad-take-medications/ )

We'd like to share a note from one of our customers and her experience working with Kim (pictured above):

"I have been a loyal customer of the Louisville Medicine Center for several years. I have been very satisfied with the prompt service, friendliness and helpfulness of all the personnel. Recently I switched insurance companies, and I found that I needed two refills before my new drug program would begin. I had taken the prescriptions to be filled, thinking I would be covered by the new company. Unfortunately the drug program won't cover me until Sept. 1. Rather than have me pay the entire out of pocket price of nearly $50., Kim, a technician, suggested that I just get 5 days worth of medicine, so I don't go without, and come back and get the rest when my drug coverage begins on Sept.1. I could have kissed her. I am on a fixed income and being close to the end of the month, it was going to be rough to pay the full amount out of pocket. I was so impressed with Kim's thoughtfulness and kindness that I just had to write and let you know!! By the way, the drug coverage suggested that I send away to receive my medications by mail. I told them absolutely not. I was completely satisfied with the Medicine Center, had been a loyal customer for years and had never had a problem, and I didn't trust getting my medicine in the mail!! This was all before I came to pick up my medicine this afternoon. That's another thought. I wouldn't get any friendly service or caring help from a mail delivery!! Thanks for listening!!"

- Martha B.

The Medicine Center Pharmacies have announced that seasonal flu shots are now being offered at their locations in Canton, Louisville, Minerva and New Philadelphia. Flu shots are available during pharmacy hours and no appointment is necessary.

To help employers and their workforce fight the flu, Medicine Center Pharmacies offer on-site shot clinics. The pharmacies also offer an off-site clinic, via a voucher program, giving employees an option to receive a voucher for a shot at any of the Medicine Center Pharmacies.

The Medicine Center Pharmacies encourage people to practice common sense habits believed to be helpful in supporting the immune system. These tips include eating a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and E, getting a good night’s sleep, staying hydrated and exercising regularly.

Medicine Center Pharmacy has a Free Kids Vitamin Program. The program helps fill nutritional gaps and saves local families hundreds of dollars per year. Medicine Center Pharmacy wants to make it a little easier for local children to get the nutrition they need. With their Free Kids Vitamin Program, children under the age of 12 receive a 30 count bottle of multivitamins each month at no cost. Parents and guardians must register their child for the program at Medicine Center Pharmacy, and come back every 30 days to pick up his or her supply of free vitamins.

The Pharmacy attended an event at a local elementary school to talk about the vitamin program. While at the event, kids who signed up could enter a drawing to win a new bicycle. Also, during the last few weeks of June, any child who signed up for the Free Kids Vitamin Program in the Canton Pharmacy were entered into the drawing. One winner was randomly chosen. Heaven was thrilled to be named the winner.

Sometimes children have a poor appetite or erratic eating habits and do not get the adequate amount of many vitamins that they need. Taken on a daily basis, multivitamins can promote stronger immune systems, aid in brain and nervous system development, build healthy bones and muscles, contribute to dental and eye health and provide protection from certain diseases. White says that his pharmacies are passionate about getting quality vitamins in the hands of local parents.