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: blueshieldca.com

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 blueshieldca.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 University of California, San Francisco, School of Pharmacy. Within two business days, you will receive an email directing you to a secure site on the blueshieldca.com website. You will need to login to access your answer.

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 California and can be accessed through www.blueshieldca.com