Are you taking your medications right?

I sometimes forget to take my medicine.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Take your medicine at the same time each day. 
• Take your medicine at the same time you do another activity such as brushing your teeth, eating breakfast or going to bed.
• Use a pill box to organize your medicine.  Make sure you get the right pill box for you. Your pharmacist can help you choose the right one.
• Ask a family member, caregiver, or friend to help remind you to take your medicine.
• Set an alarm to remind you when to take your medicine.  
• Download a smartphone app to send you reminders for when to take your medicine. Henry Ford Health System Pharmacy has a smartphone app to help you. Their app is called Henry Ford RX
• Take your medicine with you when you travel. Make sure you take it in your carry-on luggage.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how home health care might help you.
• Talk to your Henry Ford pharmacist (877) 575-6337

I sometimes forget to get my medicine refilled.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Ask your pharmacy to call or text you when a refill is due.
• Ask your pharmacy if you can enroll you in automatic refills.
• Ask a family member, caregiver or friend to help remind you to call for a refill.
• Put medicine refill dates on your calendar.
• Set an alarm to remind you when to call for a refill.
• Download the Henry Ford RX smartphone app which help keep track of your refills. 
• Request refills before travelling and/or before the weekend.
• You may be able to enroll in free home delivery of your medicine from Pharmacy Advantage or by phone (800) 456–2112.
• Talk to your Henry Ford Pharmacist (877) 575-6337.

My medicine is too expensive.  Here are some tips to help you:

• See if your medicine is covered by your insurance.
• Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about switching to a less expensive medicine.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor about patient assistance programs to help with cost.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor about medicine coupons or vouchers to help with cost.
• Go to the manufacturer’s website to look for patient assistance programs, coupons or vouchers.

I am having trouble getting to my pharmacy to pick up my medicine. Here are some tips to help you:

• Ask a family member, caregiver, or friend to pick up your medicine.
• Ask your pharmacy about home delivery services.
• Henry Ford can deliver your medicine to your home for free.

Contact us at www.pharmacyadvantagerx.com or by phone (800) 456–2112

I think I am taking too many medicines.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist why you need each medicine.
• Ask your pharmacist for ways to make your medicine easier to manage. 
• Use a pill box to organize your medicine.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how home health care might help you.

I am not sure why I need this medicine.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about why you need each medicine.
• Ask your doctor to put the reason for the medicine on your prescription.
• Ask for printed information about your condition.
• Ask for printed information about your medicines.
• Take a family member, friend or caregiver with you to your appointments to help you remember.

I have side effects to my medicine.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about your side effects.
• Ask your doctor if there are other medicines available to treat your condition.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to manage your side effects.

I am having trouble using my inhaler.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Ask your pharmacist to review your inhaler with you.
• Ask your pharmacist or doctor if there is another inhaler that may be easier for you to use for your condition.
• Look on the manufacturer website for directions.
• If you have a nurse who comes to your home, ask them to help you.
• Talk to your Henry Ford Pharmacist (877) 575-6337.

I have a language, sight, or hearing barrier.  Here are some tips to help you:

• Bring a family member, caregiver, or friend with you to your appointments.
• Be sure your pharmacist and doctor know about your needs.  They can review each of your medicines to see if something might need to change.
• Ask a family member, caregiver or friend to help you with your medicine and your pillbox at home.
• Look for a pharmacy in your area that is able to have an interpreter speak in your language.
• Talk to your Henry Ford Pharmacist at (877) 575-6337 to have an interpreter available to learn about your medicine.