Independent or Chain Pharmacy what's the difference?

Independent Pharmacy?  

Chain Pharmacy? 

Is one better than the other? 

Most cities have the option of one or the other.  I've used Chain Pharmacies, as well as, an independent outpatient pharmacy that is part of our hospital.  

Of course, my opinion of the independent pharmacy as a customer doesn't count because I was also a pharmacy technician working there at the time.  When I started working as a pharmacy technician for the inpatient side of our hospital at an offsite mental facility I moved my family prescriptions for convenience.

I think smaller chain style pharmacies probably get to know their patients better.  This results in personalized service.  One service small pharmacies offer is a newsletter to their patients.  If your pharmacy doesn't have this newsletter ask them to subscribe.  It is a short read, packed with educational information. Here is a website they can use to sign  up for it.  https://thepharmacynewsletter.com

As an added bonus 5% of the net profits from the pharmacy newsletter subscribers will be donated to NCPA ( National Community Pharmacist Association ) & FPA ( Florida Pharmacy Association) by subscribing to this newsletter pharmacies are helping 2 great organizations, advertising their pharmacy, and helping their patients all the same time. :-) 

 

 

What is your preference for pharmacies and why? 

Big chain?

Smaller independent style? 

Share your experiences with us. 

We would love to hear your story.

Diabetic? Are you prepared for a disaster?

If you or anyone in your family / friend circle use insulin keep reading.  The time to plan and prepare for emergencies is before it happens not during!  Get a Emergency Action Plan in place today.

Living with an magaging diabetes can be harder when your  in the middle of a storm or dealing with the aftermath resulting from a storm.  People all over the world have different types of disasters they deal with.  I live in Florida so here we plan for hurricaines.  This Emergency Action Plan should be in place for all kinds of disasters.  Hurricaines, tornado, floods, twisters, tripical storms, snow storms, EMP whatever comes your way be ready before it happens.

Diabetes Emergency Kit:

• week or more supply of medications.  ALL medications no just diabetic including insulin.
• supplies to check your blood sugar.  Including extrea batteries for the monitor kit
• extra misc. supplies for a glucose monitor or insulin pump
• cooler and keep reusable ice packs in your freezer frozen ready to use.

• items to treat low blood sugar :  juice box, regular soda, honey, hard candy (not sugar free) glucose tablets.  These items will stay good for years
• battery
• flash lights.
• non perishable food w/ manual can opener 

Emergency Documents :

• type of diabetes you have, other medical conditions, allergies
• medication list including dose and times you take them
• doctor name phone number & address
• phone numbers for family & friends
• copies of insurance card 
• copies of photo id
• cash
•  
  

Pack the above items into a water proof bin or container.  If it's to heavy to lift I suggest a container on wheels or two boxes so another person can help you.  Teamwork!  Pre packed kits can be purchased where you just add your personal medications they have the rest already in them in.

Cash is needed for emergencies.  My husband & I were in SC when a category 5 hurricaine Hugo hit. Electricity goes out this isnt just a pull out the flash light inconvience.  Gas stations cant process credit debit payment,  life becomes a cash only society during the recovery process.  It gets ugly.