World Patient Safety Day: working together on your safe medication

What does the local pharmacy do for you?

We know you. We know what medications you take, whether over-the-counter (such as painkillers) or prescription drugs (such as blood pressure medication). That makes it possible:

• We keep an up-to-date medication record and check for combinations and side effects.
• We can quickly consult with your GP if in doubt.
• We can give you personal advice, because we see you weekly or monthly, not just online.

Local cooperation is our strength: the shortest lines with your GP and other healthcare providers guarantee your safety and good care. (KNMP, Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Why choose your local pharmacy?

Your local pharmacy not only knows your file and collaborates with your doctor, but provides all the services that the online pharmacy also provides, but much more!

Online pharmacies seem convenient, but often do not know you at all and have no access to your file. The NHG (Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap) warns that when you order your birth control pill online, for example, this information often does not end up in your medication record. This can pose great risks because your doctor or pharmacy misses important data. (RTL)

The KNMP (Royal Dutch Society for the Advancement of Pharmacy) is concerned about Internet pharmacies. They see it undermining the local network of health care providers and jeopardizing the safe pharmaceutical care we are used to in the neighborhood. (KNMP)

Practice example: why local pharmacies remain important

A current example: the NHG warns that medication you order online often does not make it into your record. As a result, health care providers miss crucial information about your medication use. Consider the birth control pill, for example: if doctors or pharmacies do not know this, they can make wrong decisions, resulting in health damage. (RTL)

In addition, associate professor André den Exter points out serious risks with online prescription services. He explains that pharmacists may dispense drugs only if they know the patient and have access to the medication history. Without that, there is no good care - which is required by law. In an incident involving tramadol, a patient became seriously ill. (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

What can you do?

1. Always report changes to your pharmacy: new medication, dosage, or over-the-counter drugs.
2. Keep your medication record up to date: at home, with the doctor and pharmacy, so we can make safe choices together.
3. Give permission for sharing: doctor and pharmacy can only see your information with your permission. This is how we protect your privacy and safety. (apotheek.nl, rijksoverheid.nl)
4. Request local care: your local pharmacy knows who you are and what you need - that's safe and secure.

Take care of your medication safety together

On World Patient Safety Day, we want to emphasize that together we need to keep your record complete and your therapy safe. So choose local pharmacy care, share changes, and trust our personal guidance.

Questions?

Please feel free to ask. We're happy to help.