Taking care of your health is more than just going to the doctor once a year. While getting an annual wellness visit is important, the real positive change happens when you follow through with the doctor’s orders after the appointment. This might look like incorporating diet and lifestyle changes, taking time to rest or drinking plenty of water. It also means picking up your prescriptions on time, taking medication as directed and ordering refills when you need them. You can make that part easier by finding a convenient pharmacy that fits into your regular routine. After all, you’re far more likely to complete an errand that is easy to do.
Looking to find a pharmacy? Here’s what to consider when choosing the best option for you.
1. Location
Need to pick up your prescription in rush hour traffic, but it’s halfway across town? The first factor you should consider when choosing a pharmacy is the location. It’s much easier to stop by a pharmacy that fits into your daily route, whether that’s near work, school or childcare.
Location isn’t just about placement on the map, however – it’s also good to think about the traffic situation. Is the pharmacy easy to access? Is there ample parking? Is a drive-thru available? These might seem like small considerations but can be the difference between an errand that takes 15 minutes instead of 45.
Finally, you might also want to consider how close the pharmacy is to your primary care doctor’s office in case you can swing by to pick up prescriptions on your way home from an appointment.
2. Reputation
Next, consider the pharmacy’s reputation in the community. Whether you ask a few friends or read reviews online, doing a little research can help you avoid a headache or poor customer service later. A few questions to ask include:
- Is the pharmacy known for being cost-effective?
- Does it accept your insurance plan?
- Is the staff friendly and communicative? Do they remember your name?
- Are wait times reasonable?
- What other healthcare services (i.e., immunizations) do they offer?
Don’t hesitate to shop around a bit, and don’t forget – you can always switch pharmacies if your current choice isn’t meeting your expectations. Just let your doctor’s office know via phone or at your next appointment.
3. Experience
Finally, consider the overall experience you get when shopping at a pharmacy. The experience at a small local pharmacy is a lot different than the experience you’ll get at a national chain. Both have pros and cons, from available services to the number of employees and the level of customer service. Some factors are matters of preference – for instance, whether you prefer a larger or smaller storefront. Most importantly, consider whether shopping there is a pleasant experience. It’s also worth looking at what other products, such as groceries or toiletries, are available.
Find the Right Pharmacy – It Might Be Closer Than You Think
The Village Pharmacy at Advent Christian Village is conveniently located only 20 minutes from Live Oak, Perry, Madison and Mayo, Florida inside the Copeland Medical Center. To our pharmacists, you are more than just a prescription to fill. We value building relationships with each patient to better provide quality, compassionate health care.
Patients of Copeland Clinic can quickly and easily pick up their prescriptions as they depart from appointments. However, the use of the pharmacy is not limited to patients of Copeland Clinic – any person wishing to use the pharmacy may do so, and most prescriptions can be filled on the spot. Over-the-counter medications and other pharmaceutical items are also available.
In addition to filling prescriptions, our team at The Village Pharmacy provides a number of other health-related services and products. We are also a retail pharmacy and provide vaccines, including the shingles vaccine, to patients.
Transferring your prescription to our convenient pharmacy is easy. Call 386-658-5860 to speak to a friendly team member who will assist you with the simple process.
