Pharmaceutical care for adults

The Role of Pharmacy

As a pharmacy, we play a critical role in providing pharmaceutical care to adults. These groups often face chronic illnesses, multiple medication prescriptions and changing health needs. We strive to ensure medication safety, optimize medication use and properly manage patients' health.

Most commonly used medications

Many adults use medications to manage conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and joint problems. Here are some of the most commonly prescribed medications:

  1. Blood pressure relievers: Medications such as ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) and angiotensin II antagonists (e.g., losartan) are commonly used to lower blood pressure and thereby prevent cardiovascular disease.

  2. Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins):Statins, such as atorvastatin and simvastatin, help lower blood cholesterol levels. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in adults.

  3. Diabetes medication: For people with type 2 diabetes, we often prescribe metformin, a medication that helps regulate blood sugar. Other medications such as insulin or GLP-1 agonists may also be needed, depending on the severity of the condition.

  4. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories: For chronic pain, such as joint pain in osteoarthritis, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac are often prescribed. Paracetamol is also a common drug, especially for people who experience pain without inflammation.

  5. Beta-blockers: These drugs, such as metoprolol, are often prescribed for heart disease and hypertension. They help slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, reducing the strain on the heart.

Tips for medication use

The proper use of medications is essential for effective treatment and avoiding side effects. Here are some tips we pass along to adults:

  • Keep a medication schedule: Taking multiple medications can be confusing. We recommend keeping a medication schedule or using a medication roll (Baxter roll), which we can provide at the pharmacy. This helps prevent medication errors.
  • Take medication at a set time: Setting a daily routine helps prevent skipping doses. We may also recommend medication generators or reminder apps.
  • Inquire about possible interactions: Many adults take multiple medications at the same time. It is important to know if these medications can be used safely together. We always check for possible drug interactions and advise patients about them.
  • Report side effects: Side effects are common, but many patients do not always report them to us. We recommend contacting us immediately in case of complaints so we can assess whether adjustments are needed.

What else we do for adults

In addition to dispensing medications, as a pharmacy we offer a wide range of additional services for adults:

  • Medication reviews: For patients taking multiple medications, we offer an annual medication review. Together with the patient and physician, we review whether the medication is still working appropriately and whether any adjustments are needed. This contributes to safe and effective treatment.
  • Counseling for chronic conditions: Many adults deal with chronic conditions such as COPD, asthma or diabetes. We assist these patients by providing regular check-ups, advice on inhalation techniques or explanations on the use of insulin, for example.
  • Vaccinations and prevention: We offer advice on flu vaccinations and other preventive measures relevant to the older target population. We can also provide information about travel vaccinations or health tests, such as a cholesterol test.
  • Recall service: For patients taking long-term medications, we offer a repeat service. We ensure that patients receive their medications on time, without having to request them again and again.

In our pharmacy, personal care is paramount. Through good cooperation with the patient, family doctor and other health care providers, we ensure that everyone, regardless of age, receives the best possible care. In this way, we contribute to better medication use and improved quality of life.