By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh July 25, 2024 39 Comments
    Why Pharmacists Can’t Just Slap a Label on…

    “Don’t you just have to slap a label on it?” Pharmacists around the country hear the same thing, all day, every day. I know this because I am in several pharmacist groups on Facebook, each with …

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh August 1, 2022 21 Comments
    Do You Know Someone Taking Stimulants for ADHD?

    Many of my fellow pharmacists have watched the Netflix documentary about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder drugs (stimulants) called Take Your Pills. I decided to see what the hype was about an…

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh March 14, 2019 2 Comments
    Be Prepared for Anything

    I recently watched the Netflix series, Tidying Up, with my children. Watching this show was an eye opener - I needed to get many areas of the house under control and more organized. As a pharmacist, I…

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh December 6, 2018 71 Comments
    Shingrix: Should You or Shouldn’t You? A Pharm…

    Currently, in community/retail pharmacy, there is a large focus on immunizations. Especially in the fall months, much time is spent on vaccinating patients against influenza (flu) and pneumonia. Recen…

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh September 13, 2018 18 Comments
    Breaking Down a Prior Authorization

    A prior authorization (PA) is common terminology in pharmacies, but I find it to be very confusing for our patients. Has this ever happened to you? You visit your doctor, discuss prescription options …

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh September 6, 2018 18 Comments
    How to Have the Best Experience at the Pharmacy,…

    After 17 years working in a pharmacy, I notice many of the same issues over and over, many of which can be easily prevented. I have collected tips over the years, and recently gathered some more from …

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh July 23, 2018 112 Comments
    How Would You Manage This Ethical Question?

    Imagine you go to your local pharmacy, like so many people do every day. You hand your prescription to a pharmacy staff member, wait a period of time, and leave with your prescription in hand. This ha…

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh July 12, 2018 17 Comments
    A Walk Down the Aisle of Allergy Meds

    “Decisions, decisions,” said the gentleman standing in the aisle of allergy meds, pondering his purchase. “I never know which one to get.” As a pharmacist, I see this very often – the allerg…

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh June 7, 2018 11 Comments
    How to Ease Migraine Pain without Prescriptions

    I truly sympathize with those who suffer from chronic migraines. While I occasionally have a mild headache, only once do I think I may have experienced something even close to migraine pain. When I ha…

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh May 14, 2018 24 Comments
    A Tale of Drugs That Disappeared for Good

    Recently, I was drinking my morning coffee out of my Vioxx mug. When Vioxx came out, it was BIG. Everyone was going crazy for this drug that was supposed to help pain and inflammation without the typi…

    By: Karen Berger, PharmD, RPh April 14, 2018 8 Comments
    How to Avoid Trouble at the Pharmacy Checkout

    In one of the first scenes of the returning show, Roseanne, Roseanne is sitting at the kitchen table when her husband walks through the door, prescription bag in hand. “Oooh! My favorite! Drugs!” …