Category: Blog

Now more than ever, easy access to quick and convenient medical care is an important aspect of efficient pharmaceutical care services. There are situations when a patient may not be able to drive to a pharmacy because of illness, social distancing, or any other reason.  

A pharmacy delivery service provides easy and convenient access to patients’ medication needs through a doorstep delivery. Including a pharmacy delivery service as part of your comprehensive healthcare management program may be the best investment to take into your health. This is especially beneficial for those currently taking multiple medications. 

Imagine having to cope with multiple medications at different intervals with each coming with its own different sets of instructions. 

But, if all your medications are delivered at once on your doorstep and sorted appropriately in a single package with clear instructions on the best way to take them, there’s no doubt that this would make life easier for every patient. Read on to discover more benefits of medication delivery service:

Easy and More Convenient Access to Your Medication Needs

Medication delivery service, either online or through the telephone, allows convenient access to medications. Patients can benefit from this convenient access to medications, especially in emergencies. 

During these events, rushing to a pharmacy may not be the best option. A phone call to a pharmacy that offers a medication delivery service allows you to confirm the availability of needed medications and request faster doorstep delivery. 

Moreover, easier access to pharmaceutical services through medication delivery ensures improvement of therapeutic outcomes for patients since they will get their medications immediately.

Better Medication Adherence

Non-compliance with medication use poses a serious health concern. Patients usually have many reasons to skip their medication use. While some are voluntary, many are also a result of inconveniences in accessing medications and poor understanding of medication use regimens, especially when medications are obtained from different sources. 

Pharmacy delivery services make provisions for bedside deliveries and even ensure that patients with chronic illness have their medications delivered to them on a regular basis as needed. Adherence is further enhanced through automated reminders and compliance packaging. 

Beyond adherence, pharmacy medication delivery service also improves safety because of a nearly-perfect dispensing accuracy. Hence, unwanted medication-related adverse events can be avoided since you will get personalized advice and proper packaging on the right use of the medicine.

That includes the correct dose, interval, and time to take prescribed medications and when not to use the medications.

Additional Money Savings

You are likely to pay more in dispensary fees the more frequently you receive a fill. However, a customized medication therapy management program that accommodates home delivery of your medications on a weekly or monthly basis saves you more money. 

Imagine just having to schedule your medication orders online or through a phone call without having to waste time and money driving to a trusted pharmacy. Beyond saving you money, it also gives you greater control over healthcare costs over the long term. So, there’s usually no medical wastage because patients get only the medications they need.

Additionally, medication use errors are reduced, and expenses that come with managing medication errors on the part of the patient are also minimized. 

Quick and Automatic Processing of Medication Refills

Another benefit of having a pharmacy delivery service for patients is the greater efficiency achieved through the automatic processing of refills. Once you send a delivery order, you get documented electronic evidence that ensures that you get the right types and quantities of medications in the correct doses, dosage forms, time, and condition. 

Beyond getting easy access to your medication needs, automatic processing of medication refills also promotes medication adherence in patients. This enhances the quality of care for patients.

Medication Advice by Telephone

There are several aspects to drug therapy care. Patients need better access to information beyond just how to take their medications. For instance, patients need more information on how to manage possible side effects. 

Medication advise by telephone results in efficient patient counseling. Patients who desire more private consultation services and longer counseling duration also enjoy enhanced satisfaction with care.

Similarly, they also need advice on how to manage certain interactions with food or other drugs that they may experience while using the medication. 

Patients can easily get answers to these questions when they have their medications processed and delivered to them and benefit from medication therapy management via the telephone. 

 

At Carolina Pharmacy, we provide client-centered convenient care through personalized prescription delivery services. Even if you cannot leave your workplace or home, we are available to deliver the medications to you at your convenience. Feel free to contact us for your medication delivery in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill.

 The fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period for 2022 Medicare coverage is October 15 – December 7, 2021.

Medicare Open Enrollment is the time where you can enroll in Medicare for the first time or assess your current enrollment and determine if it is the best one to fit your needs. You can also make the decision to switch plans if what you’re currently enrolled in will not fit your needs in the following year.

If Medicare enrollment and benefits seem overwhelming, you’re not alone – it can be confusing to navigate, especially if you’re newly eligible. As you near the age for Medicare qualification, you should make it a priority to understand how enrollment works so that you can find the best plan and avoid late enrollment fees.

Carolina Pharmacy is currently offering free consultations to help you enroll in the right Medicare plan. Together, you and our Medicare enrollment consultant will review your health needs to help you determine:

• How you can save money on health care, such as lower premiums and/or copays
• If your current medications and providers will remain in-network in your plan in 2022
• If Original Medicare Enrollment is an option and if you are eligible to enroll before age 65
• What a Medicare Supplement plan is and if you need one

Contact us today for your FREE consultation! Fill out our online form or call 866-846-8809, just mention Carolina Pharmacy!

Passenger flights and even road travels have been hugely impacted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, a 64.6% decline in global passenger traffic has been reported. Recently, there’s been increasing demand among government agencies to restore confidence in travel during the pandemic.

This is evident from the increasing number of available travel guidelines and testing requirements. Although traveling requirements may exist during this pandemic if you have the right information and follow the right travel advice you will be able to navigate your travels hassle-free.

If you’re planning to travel for work or vacation, do not get overwhelmed with the various testing requirements and guidelines. It doesn’t matter where you’re traveling to, what is needed is the right information concerning traveling requirements in your destination.

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about traveling requirements during this pandemic and how Carolina Pharmacy’s travel assistance program can help you plan a safe, smooth, and seamless experience for both domestic and international travels.

What to Know Before You Travel

COVID-19 has changed the nature of traveling, no doubt. The major deciding factor for traveling during the ongoing pandemic is safety. 

You will need to have all your safety essentials such as gloves, sanitizers, masks, and more ready to guarantee your safety while traveling. Finally, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic guidelines to ensure your safety. Don’t get overwhelmed; we will simplify all traveling requirements in your destination country in this guide. 

To ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed with the various information, and testing requirements out there, our Concierge Travel Services & Assistance Program also covers helping our patients determine the necessary travel requirements to make your trips stress-free. We will provide you with all the travel requirements, required tests, and necessary documentation. 

Traveling Requirements, Restrictions, & Situations

Hassle-free domestic and international traveling during COVID-19 may require certain preparations and documentation. The requirements and documentation vary from country to country. While you can travel to many countries with just a vaccine card, some airlines may have their own requirements or may require testing. If testing is required, the number of days you need to test prior to departure varies depending on the country and your vaccination status.

To ensure that you have a hassle-free trip, we will help you make the right preparations beforehand by:

• Helping you gather key information about different travel requirements for your destination and planning a safe and seamless trip for you. 
• Gathering the latest travel advice for your destination and helping you prepare important travel documents. 
• Being in charge of your health needs through our Travel Medication Management program, and providing the necessary information that will keep you safe and healthy during your travels.

Considerations for Susceptible Individuals

Specific groups of people have an increased risk for severe illness. Immunocompromised individuals, pregnant people, older adults, children, and people with one or more existing medical conditions may have slightly different requirements. If you fall into this category and are concerned about travel requirements, schedule an appointment with our experienced staff to determine if you need any precautions for your destination.

What Travelers Need To Know About Safety in Hotels & Other Lodging

Travelers should follow basic safety guidelines in hotels and similar accommodation establishments. Ensure to constantly wash your hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer. Before going into public places such as restaurants or halls, be sure to wear face masks and maintain social distancing. 

Safety Recommendations When You Travel

Before you travel, plan ahead to keep yourself and everyone safe. When you fly, you may be required to wear a facemask. Try as much as possible to avoid touching surfaces. Also, keep a portable hand sanitizer to clean airplane seats, armrests, certain buttons, and restroom door handles, practice social distancing, and avoid close contacts. These recommendations and safety guidelines also hold for road travels.

Safe & Smooth Journeys With Carolina Pharmacy’s Travel Assistance Program

Carolina Pharmacy offers comprehensive travel testing assistance such as diagnostic COVID-19 testing with full laboratory results and certain documentation that you may present as part of the requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test for destinations or airlines where that is required.

Your safety is very important to us during these trying times, so we are prepared to provide the needed support to ensure that you can keep up with your personal lives and business even during these unprecedented times. If you are currently taking one or more medications, we’ve also got you covered through our Travel Medication Management Program. We make your traveling hassle-free with organized and convenient packaging.

Feel free to contact us for detailed concierge travel planning assistance to make your traveling seamless and help keep you safe when you travel. Let us handle the travel requirements and documentation. For more information, schedule an appointment for COVID-19 travel & testing assistance in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill.

Just like normal medications, all vaccines also have one or more side effects, and COVID-19 vaccines are no exception. Across the globe, about 45% of the world population has received at least a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The most widely reported side effectsfollowing the administration of COVID-19 vaccines are headaches, chills, soreness at the injection site, flu-like symptoms, and muscle aches. In all cases, these side effects are usually mild, and they usually last for only about 24 – 48 hours. 

Maybe you’re preparing to get your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or you have recently gotten your first dose, you may or may not experience these side effects. Read on to discover the possible side effects and how you can effectively manage them.

Common Side Effects Following COVID-19 Vaccinations

Soreness at the Injection Site

Soreness at the injection site is typical of intramuscular injections and is very common. COVID-19 vaccines are no exception. So, it’s not a big deal. Soreness from COVID-19 vaccines is usually characterized by redness and tenderness. 

Although it may be annoying at first, soreness demonstrates that your body is developing an immune response against the vaccine, which helps your body build immunity against the coronavirus.

It is crucial to understand that not everyone responds the same way. So, it doesn’t mean your body is not developing immunity if you do not get a sore arm after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Muscle Aches

Since the vaccine is usually administered intramuscularly, some discomfort in the form of muscle aches is typical. When you experience these types of reactions, just know that your immune system is responding exactly the way it’s supposed to react. Occasionally, muscle aches may hinder your ability to perform usual daily activities. Still, they usually go away in about a day or two depending on how fast your immune system responds to the vaccine. Similarly, the absence of muscle pain is also normal for some individuals. 

Fever and Fatigue

This is the chief symptom that is often most pronounced twenty-four hours following a COVID-19 vaccination. It is fine to sleep if you experience a fever after taking your first or second dose of the vaccine.  Be sure to also drink enough water to stay hydrated and continue adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Headaches

Headaches are common side-effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. In fact, evidence suggests that roughly 10% of individuals experience one or more forms of headaches and fatigue following the COVID-19 vaccination. Depending on the individual, the severity of the headache may range from mild to even migraine headaches where there is occasional nausea and sensitivity to flashing lights. But, in any case, symptoms usually subside within a day or two.

What to Do to Manage COVID-19 Side Effects

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and they protect individuals from complications of COVID-19. Side effects are normal, although not everyone experiences these side effects and the degree varies in different individuals. 

But in any case, here are a few tips to help you control and manage the various types of side effects that may develop:

• Stay hydrated after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people drink lots of fluids and try their best to dress lightly to reduce symptoms such as fever, headaches, and fatigue.
• Poor sleep may prolong recovery from the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine. Ensure to get enough sleep after taking the vaccine. Limit physical activity, rest well and get plenty of sleep.
• If you experience soreness, stiffness, and muscle aches around the injection site, try as much as possible to move your arms. Understandably, this may cause more discomfort, but it helps improve blood flow around the injection site which relieves local inflammation and soreness.
• Occasionally, you may experience pain around the injection site. You can apply ice packs or cool, wet cloth to ease the pain around the injection site.
• If you still feel pain that doesn’t go away after applying ice packs around the sore area, you may take over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen but only when necessary, and if you have no medical condition that will prevent you from taking them under normal circumstances.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and the occurrence of side effects following COVID-19 vaccination is normal. As a safety measure, ensure to remain still for about 15 minutes after receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to watch for the occurrence of adverse effects, which may occur in very rare cases. 

It takes time to build full protection after receiving COVID-19 vaccines. Hence, even after receiving your first and second doses of the vaccine, ensure to adhere strictly to COVID-19 safety guidelines. 

At Carolina Pharmacy, we are committed to bringing you quality healthcare during these unprecedented times through quality pharmaceutical services. Contact us today for more information on COVID-19 testing, and COVID-19 vaccination in Charlotte, Lancaster, and Rock Hill.

 

It’s time to get your seeds in the ground for root vegetables in North Carolina! Carrots, beets, rutabaga, turnips, radishes etc. are all excellent root vegetables that can be sewn directly into the soil in September and October. Before planting, make sure you have a nice composted soil with ample sunlight and access to a water source. Note the seed spacing requirements on your seed packet and thin your plants accordingly. Check out this gardening calendar for more information:

 

Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie Recipe

• 1cup spinach
• 1/2beet, peeled and chopped
• 1small piece of ginger root
• 1 small piece of turmeric root
• 1cup coconut water
• 1/2orange, peeled
• 1cup blueberries
• 1tsp coconut oil
• 1 cup of ice

Blend ingredients together, adding extra liquid as needed. You may wish to add extra protein which can be done with hemp hearts or a protein powder. If you are trying to add extra protein to your diet, try adding flax seed or psyllium husk to your smoothies.

It’s easy to focus on the quickest and easiest way to pick up our prescriptions. But did you know there’s a difference when it comes to what type of pharmacy you choose?/p>