Your pharmacist can do more than just fill prescriptions
Like many people, you probably go to your local pharmacy several times a year. In fact, research shows people see pharmacists up to 10 times more often than their doctor.* That makes sense when you learn that nearly 70 percent of adults ages 40 to 79 in the U.S. and Canada take at least one prescription medication.*
Sure, your pharmacist is great at filling prescriptions, but they can do so much more. A pharmacist can help you track medications. They can check for interactions between different medicines you take. They can even help you stay well during flu season.
While pharmacists can’t replace your primary care provider (PCP), they can work with them. And they can be important players on your health care team. Here are seven ways pharmacists can help you feel your best.
Aetna® care teams can help you find a doctor, schedule appointments, manage a condition, access the right benefits and more. It’s a personal benefit designed for Aetna Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan members.
Your pharmacist can work with your provider to help choose the best medication for you. To make a recommendation, they look at a few factors, including:
“As a pharmacist, I work with doctors daily to go over a patient’s current medicines,” says Ashley Besignano-Long, PharmD. She’s the academic pharmacy supervisor at Staten Island University Hospital in New York.
Once there's a decision on a medication, the pharmacist focuses on helping you, the patient. “I spend time teaching the patient about the medication and how to take it, whether it’s an inhaler, injection or a pill,” says Besignano-Long. After that, a pharmacist can help watch to make sure the medication is working and doesn’t cause any side effects.
More than 22 percent of adults ages 40 to 79 take at least 5 prescription medications.* But sometimes not all of them are necessary. And the more medications you take, the greater the chance of side effects or drug-to-drug interactions, says Stephanie Redmond, PharmD, a Minnesota-based pharmacist.
The best way to stay away from any unwanted reactions? Get a yearly medication check. This is when you meet with your pharmacist to talk about all the medications you take. That includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements.*
Pharmacists have a lot of experience looking for side effects. They can offer advice on preventing or easing them. For example, some medications may cause stomach upset. But a pharmacist knows that taking the medication with food may fend off stomach issues, says Besignano-Long.
Pharmacists also know how medications interact with other ones. That helps them catch problems before they happen. For instance, say you’re prescribed a blood thinner. Your pharmacist knows to warn you against taking ibuprofen. The OTC pain reliever could raise the risk of bleeding.*
Health plans have a list of medications (a "formulary") they agree to cover. They often have drug “tiers,” or pricing categories. The tiers range in cost from low to high. Usually, the lower the tier, the less you pay.
Your pharmacist can check to see if you’re on the most cost-effective medications. They might find something in a lower-cost tier that works just as well.* They can also give you coupons or tell you about assistance programs.
Some states let pharmacists prescribe medication to help you stop smoking.* This includes:
Research shows that pharmacists who work with patients to help them quit smoking are just as successful as doctors.* Ready to quit? Ask your pharmacist how they can help make it easier for you to kick the habit.
If you have a common illness, such as a cold or seasonal allergies, you probably pick up an OTC remedy at the pharmacy without thinking much about it. But did you know that some decongestants can raise your blood pressure? Or that an allergy medication could make you feel very sleepy, dizzy and confused?*
“Older adults often choose a sleep aid that has diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), for example, which can be harmful,” says Besignano-Long. So before you grab your go-to remedy off the store shelf, talk to the pharmacist. They can guide you to the best and safest choice.
Sometimes you have to wait a while to get an appointment with your provider for a flu shot or COVID-19 booster. But you can get these vaccines at your local pharmacy. Other vaccines may also be available there. For instance, the shingles or pneumonia vaccine. Some pharmacies require appointments for vaccines, but they often have more availability.
Pharmacists in all 50 states can give vaccinations. And insurance covers most of them.* Just be sure to get documentation. Then give it to your provider on your next visit, says Redmond. This way, your doctor can note it in your medical records.
Are you managing a condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes? Your pharmacy may offer health screenings. These can include blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks for a small fee, says Redmond.
Keep a copy of the results. And ask the pharmacist to send them electronically to your provider. Getting health screenings at your local pharmacy could save you a trip to your provider’s office. Or it might let you know it’s time to see your PCP for more thorough care.
Other times a pharmacist can help with screenings: When your provider has asked you to monitor your blood sugar or blood pressure from home. They can show you how to use your at-home monitors properly so that you get accurate readings.
When you know all the ways a pharmacist can help you stay healthy and feel your best, it makes sense to make them a regular member of your wellness team. If possible, visit the same pharmacist regularly. The better they know you and your personal needs, the better the advice and support they can offer.
If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for an Aetna® Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).
If you're 65 or older and have diabetes or an eligible heart disease, you may qualify for an Aetna® Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). C-SNPs are currently available in select counties in IL and PA.
You may be eligible for an Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) if you’ve lived (or plan to live) in a participating facility for 90+ days or you have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
*FOR SEEING PHARMACIST MORE THAN DOCTOR SOURCE: Tsuyuki RT, Beahm NP, Okada H, et al. Pharmacists as accessible primary health care providers: review of the evidence. Canadian Pharmacists Journal. January-February 2018; 151(1):4-5.
*FOR AT LEAST ONE AND AT LEAST FIVE PRESCRIPTIONS STATISTICS SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prescription drug use among adults aged 40-79 in the United States and Canada. August 2019. Accessed July 7, 2023.
*FOR OTC MEDICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTS SOURCE: Coe AB, Bynum JPW and Farris KB. Comprehensive medication review: new poll indicates interest but low receipt among older adults. JAMA Health. October 9, 2020; 1(10): e201243.
*FOR RISK OF BLEEDING SOURCE: Harvard Health Publishing. Bad mix: blood thinners and NSAIDs. December 16, 2019. Accessed July 7, 2023.
*FOR LOWER-COST TIER EFFECTIVENESS SOURCE: Medicare.gov. What Medicare Part D drug plans cover. Accessed July 7, 2023.
*FOR MEDICATION TO STOP SMOKING SOURCE: National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Pharmacist prescribing: tobacco cessation aids. February 10, 2021. Accessed July 7, 2023.
*FOR PHARMACISTS WHO HELP QUIT SMOKING SOURCE: National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Pharmacist prescribing: tobacco cessation aids: infographic. July 23, 2018. Accessed July 7, 2023.
*FOR OTC MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS SOURCE: FamilyDoctor.org. OTC medicines: know your risks and reduce them. August, 2022. Accessed July 7, 2023.
*FOR PHARMACIST VACCINATIONS SOURCE: National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations. Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Vaccination Authority. April 25, 2023. Accessed July 7, 2023.
See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. This material is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Contact a health care professional with any questions or concerns about specific health care needs. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna is not a provider of health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website.
To send a complaint to Aetna, call the Plan or the number on your member ID card. To send a complaint to Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week. If your complaint involves a broker or agent, be sure to include the name of the person when filing your grievance.
The benefits mentioned are part of special supplemental program for the chronically ill. Eligibility is determined by whether you have a chronic condition associated with this benefit. Standards may vary for each benefit. Conditions include Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disorders, Cancer. Other eligible conditions may apply. Contact us to confirm your eligibility for these benefits.
Eligibility for the Model Benefit or Reward and Incentive (RI) Programs under the Value-Based Insurance Design (VBID) Model is not assured and will be determined by Aetna after enrollment, based on relevant criteria (e.g., clinical diagnoses, eligibility criteria, participation in a disease state management program).
If your plan’s Extra Benefits Card includes roll-over, any unused amount will rollover into the next month. The monthly amount can be rolled over through the end of the plan year but will not carry over into the next plan year.
Nondiscrimination Notice | CA-Specific Nondiscrimination Notice
©2025 Aetna Inc.
Y0001_3563411_2025_M_3721069
3891507-12-01
