Did you know that in two out of every three visits to the doctor, a patient walks out of the office with a prescription? Or that 3.7 billion prescriptions were filled last year according to the Kaiser Family Foundation? Yet, three out of four Americans don’t follow directions when taking prescription medicines.

That’s a prescription for serious health consequences, either because patients are not getting the therapeutic benefits from their medications or patients are dealing with health complications from drug interactions. So Kerr Drug is urging everyone to follow the theme of National Pharmacist Month in October: “Know Your Medicine/Know Your Pharmacist.”

“Pharmacists do much more than just fill prescriptions; they help patients completely understand their medications which can improve a patient’s health as well as same them money,” says Ralph Petri, Executive Vice President of Pharmacy for Kerr Drug. “Our pharmacists provide personal health services and teach patients how to follow a medication regimen, recommend lower-cost medication alternatives and recognize potential harmful drug interactions.”

Furthermore, medication-related problems, including patients not taking medications in the right ways, adds up to roughly $290 billion dollars annually in emergency room visits, hospitalizations, doctor visits, and other forms of preventable care. And as more and more Americans are affected by at least one chronic condition, the costs for patients and the health care system will continue to grow. All of this is according to The New England Healthcare Institute (NEHI).

That’s why talking with your pharmacist can take the mystery out of your medicines. Kerr Drug was one of the pioneers in Medication Therapy Management. MTM provides for pharmacists and physicians to work together to review patient profiles and decide on treatment plans. Pharmacists advise patients on how to take their medications, explain any side-effects or potential interactions with other medicines, vitamins, or supplements, and recommend lower-cost treatment options, such as over-the-counter medications.

Knowing Your Medicine by Knowing Your Pharmacist can not only improve your health it can also save you money.

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About Kerr Drug

Kerr Drug is one of the most recognized and respected names in the chain drug industry. With its roots in the Carolinas and headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Kerr Drug's strategic direction is founded in its unique ability to provide patients, the medical community, and health plans access to the most comprehensive and convenient health and wellness offering in the industry. With a mission to be the most comprehensive provider of pharmacy and related healthcare services, while continuing to be the most reliable provider of health-related and convenience items, Kerr is currently providing services that far exceed the traditional drug store mix. For more information, please visit www.kerrdrug.com.