Dispensing: picking up a new drug with counseling interview
The counseling session at the pharmacy
At the first use of a new medication or after one year, you will have a counseling session. The pharmacy employee checks the suitability, dosage and interactions of the medicine. You'll be explained about proper use, side effects and the importance of following prescriptions. And you can ask questions for safe and effective medication use.
What is a counseling session?
A counseling session takes place when you receive a new medication for the first time or are taking the same medication again after more than a year. The pharmacy employee checks that the medicine is appropriate, that the dosage is correct and that there are no interactions with other medicines. You will then be explained how to use it correctly. This conversation is officially called "Handover and counseling conversation new medicine" and so appears on your health insurance bill.
Why is the counseling interview important?
The counseling interview is important for safe medication use. Because with this conversation, you learn how to use the medicine, what possible side effects are and why it is important to use it as prescribed. This reduces problems and allows the medicine to work properly. An example is when someone starts an antidepressant. When taking these drugs, it is important to know that it can often take several weeks before the full effects of the drug are felt. Think about two to four weeks. From the pharmacy, you will also be given information about the expected duration of treatment and, for example, that it is important not to stop abruptly without consulting the doctor.
Who determines whether you need a counseling interview?
A counseling interview is required at every first dispensing of a drug. If the pharmacist finds that an interview is not necessary, it does not take place and no fee is charged.
What is the counseling interview about?
In the conversation, the pharmacy discusses various topics that depend on your personal situation and medication use. Some questions may include:
- Is this the first time you have been given this medicine?
- Do you know why you are going to take this medicine?
- What do you already know about this medicine?
- What do you expect from the new medicine?
In addition, the pharmacy assistant tells you about:
- How the medicine works;
- How to use the medicine and what the correct dosage is;
- Possible side effects;
- Other important information, advice or warnings;
- Possible interactions with other medicines you are taking;
- Eventual effects on your ability to react.
The pharmacy assistant will take the time to answer all your questions and give you written information. If you have any questions later, you can always contact the pharmacist.
In the video below from apotheek.nl, you can see how the counseling interview goes.
When may the pharmacy bill for this "act"?
When may the pharmacy bill for this "act?"
The pharmacy may bill for these acts if the pharmacy performed the activities listed below. Please note that this information is subject to change in the interim. The handling fee for a prescription line is approximately €7.50. The cost of the medication itself is calculated separately. Want to know the cost of a medication? Check medicine-costs.com for more information.
The pharmacist may bill for this performance if:
- the drug with the same active ingredient and form of administration has not previously been dispensed to the patient; or
- the drug with the same active ingredient and form of administration was last dispensed to the patient 12 months or more ago; or
- the pharmacist cannot objectively determine whether the drug has previously been dispensed to the patient in the past 12 months.
The pharmacist may not bill for this benefit if the patient does not pick up the drug.
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