BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE
SIX POINT Prescription Drugs Checklist
Blue Shield’s website provides members with
information to evaluate their level of risk for adverse drug interactions using
the six point checklist below. Several
interactive tools are now available at:
1. Are you Informed?
Determine whether you are
adequately educated about the medications you are taking. The Drug Database and
Formulary in the Pharmacy section of mylifepath.com can help you find answers. Members can search for specific drugs by name
or browse a list of drugs or conditions.
Members can also keep up to
date on the most recent formulary changes, such as the changes in the “statins”
formulary status and why this happened along with other top pharmacy oriented
news such as the recent Vioxx removal from the marketplace.
Just click on the “Find out
more” link in the Announcements box on the Pharmacy section main page.
2. What is Drug Interaction?
Members can avoid harmful
drug interactions by telling their doctor or pharmacist about the medications
they take, including over-the-counter products, vitamins and herbal
supplements. Members can use the Drug
Interaction Checker to see whether they may be taking a potentially harmful
combination of medications.
The Drug Interaction
Checker helps to facilitate open communication between the patient and their
doctor. It’s especially useful for
seniors, who should keep a record of all prescriptions, supplements and herbs
taken.
Members can also take
advantage of the award-winning “Ask the Pharmacist” section. You can browse the Archives, and take a look
at the top questions or submit your own question about a drug in a secure,
confidential environment. Your question
will be answered by a drug information pharmacist from the
3. Double Check Your Medicine
There are also photos of
many of the drugs in the drug monograph.
Just click on the drug name and select a quantity. The drug information usually includes a photo
of the drug you’ve searched, which allows you to verify the medication after it
has been dispensed to ensure the prescription was filled correctly and to avoid
potentially harmful errors.
4. Are You Using Your Medicine Correctly?
Members can check to verify
they are using their pills, inhaler or insulin properly with the How to Use
section of the drug monograph.
5. Keep Good Records
Members should have
Emergency Contact and Medication information handy. This can include the
patient’s name, list of drugs currently being taken, any known drug allergies,
primary physician’s name and phone number, and an emergency contact name and
phone number.
6. Ask Questions
If a medication doesn’t
seem to be working, or if they have problems with a medication or treatment
decision, members should contact their doctor.
Don’t forget you can always use the “Ask the Pharmacist” to ask a
drug-related question.
This information has been
provided by Blue Shield of