Many people find they are taking one, two, three or even 20 different medications daily. Most have been prescribed by doctors. Sometimes a medication is no longer needed for a particular ailment.
Sometimes a smaller dose is best
Sometimes one medication interacts with another one in a negative way, or cancels out the effects of one of the medications.
Today we can get our medications checked by a pharmacist to see how we are doing with
them. UBC (University of British Columbia) runs a free Pharmacists Clinic to check on medica-
tions.
You can call them to make an in-person appointment or to have a telephone consultation.
Their number is 604-827-2584. If you prefer to visit the clinic, call and make an appointment.
Their address is Pharmacists Clinic, UBC, Second Floor, 2405 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver.
Website: pharmsci.ubc.ca/pharmacists-clinic
Also, if your local pharmacist has the time, you could review all your medications with him/her.

Here are some questions to ask the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about your prescription:
1. Why am I taking this medication?
2. What are the potential benefits and harms of this medication?
3. Can it affect my memory or cause me to fall?
4. Can I stop or reduce the dose of this medication?
5. Who do I follow up with and when?

By Linda Forsythe