Advice and information
- You take 5 or more medications and experience problems as a result, such as side effects
- You start using a medication roll
- You have poor kidney function
- You have been hospitalized and have lacked an overview of your medication since then
- You have fallen in the past year and do you think this could be due to the medication?
Convenience when taking medication
Many people take multiple medications per day, often at different times. It is therefore not surprising that you sometimes make a mistake or that something goes wrong when taking them. It can be difficult to keep track of everything in this way. As a pharmacy, we are happy to help make taking your daily medication as easy and safe as possible. We can supply the medication on a roll for this purpose.
What is a medication roll?
A medication roll is a roll of pouches in which daily medications are packaged for each time of intake. Each pouch displays the day, date, and time of intake. You can also see which medication is inside and what the medication looks like (color and shape). This allows you to easily check whether you are taking the correct medication. The pouches are linked together in the order of intake and by time of intake. As a result, the medication roll is also a practical tool for taking your medication on time, and you can easily check afterwards whether you have taken them. You will therefore never have to wonder again whether you have taken your medicine.
The benefits of your medication in a roll are:
- You have an overview of the medication at once.
- Never miss a dose again.
- No more popping blister packs or opening jars.
- No more large stocks at home.
- Ideal to take with you.
- Your medication is automatically ready for you at the pharmacy every two weeks or delivered to your home.
Ask at the pharmacy whether you are eligible for reimbursement of the medication roll by your health insurer.
A pharmaceutical consultation is a personal conversation between you and the pharmacist, pharmaceutical consultant, or pharmacy assistant. Your questions and concerns regarding your medication are the focus of this conversation. Together, we review your medication use, potential side effects, and how using your medication can be made easier for you.
What can you discuss during a consultation?
- Complaint or side effect due to medication use
- Problems with medication use, such as swallowing difficulties or losing track of things
- The simultaneous use of multiple medications
- The use of medicines during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Tapering off medication
During this conversation, we will delve deeper into your problem or question, we will
to provide you with explanation and advice and discuss the possibilities. There are several factors involved in this, which is why there are costs associated with the consultation. The consultation is reimbursed by your health insurer. However, your deductible may apply.
When you pick up medication at the pharmacy, these medications cost money. In addition, you also pay for the work the pharmacy does. This appears on your health insurance bill as dispensing costs. Most of the care provided by the pharmacy is covered by basic health insurance. However, a deductible applies.
Agreements with the insurance company
The pharmacy enters into agreements with all health insurance companies in the Netherlands. These agreements are renewed annually or every other year. As soon as it is known whether the pharmacy and the health insurer have concluded a contract,
Would you like to know the status of these contract negotiations? You can find this via the following link.
A bill from the pharmacy
If a medicine or medical device is not reimbursed by the health insurer and you have not paid at the pharmacy, you will receive a bill from the pharmacy. Pharmacies send the invoices via Infomedics. This happens once a month.
You usually receive the invoice by email from Infomedics. To open it, a code is sent to the mobile number known to us. Is your email address not known to us? Then you will receive the bill by post, in a recognizable pink envelope.
Do you have an email address, but would you prefer to receive the invoice by post? Please let us know, and we will adjust this for you.
You can also choose to pay by direct debit, so that the amount is automatically deducted. Are you interested in this? Please let us know at the pharmacy.
Infomedics applies its own payment terms. For more information regarding this, we refer you to the Infomedics website
The cost of medicines
Would you like to know how much a medicine costs and what the costs are that you pay to the pharmacy? The government has created a website for this purpose. You can find all this information at medicijnkosten.nl. You can also find on this website whether the medication is reimbursed by health insurance.
It is becoming increasingly common for a medicine to be unavailable. For four years now, shortages of more than 1,000 medicines have been known. Medicine shortages are very inconvenient for patients, as they force them to return to the pharmacy or use an alternative. Consequently, pharmacies spend a great deal of time searching for solutions to these shortages in order to limit the consequences for the patient.
Why is it not available?
It may happen that the manufacturer no longer wants to produce the medicine because they earn too little from it. Or manufacturers sell a rare medicine to a country that is willing to pay more for it.
What can the pharmacy do?
If your medication is unavailable, your pharmacist will look for a substitute, an alternative. Preferably, a medication with the same active ingredient. If this is not possible, the pharmacist will choose another medication with almost the same effect. You may then receive a different medication than you are used to. This can be difficult for you. Your pharmacist will explain this to you if there is a change in brand or medication.
Sometimes the pharmacist can obtain the medicine from abroad or prepare it themselves. This is sometimes more expensive, and your health insurer does not always cover these costs. Your pharmacist will discuss this with you and inform you of the costs. Very occasionally, the pharmacy is unable to find a substitute. In that case, you will have to temporarily do without a suitable medicine. Fortunately, this almost never happens.
What can you do yourself?
Of course, you are also responsible for your own medication use. You know how much medication you have at home. Order new medication on time.
Many pharmacies offer a repeat prescription service. This allows the pharmacist to know exactly which medications you use and when you need them. If one of the medications is out of stock, the pharmacist has more time to look for a solution. Ask about the repeat prescription service at your pharmacy.
Are you going on a trip soon? Our two pharmacies would be happy to inform you about what to keep in mind when traveling and taking medication.
Not all medication can simply be taken abroad. Sleeping pills, strong painkillers, and ADHD and sedatives are not allowed to cross the border without permission! You need a medication declaration for this. You can find more information on the CAK
Don't run out of medication during your holiday. Take enough medication with you for your holiday and for the week after. Check your medication supply well before departure. And order them from your pharmacy in time.
Your medication passport contains all details about your medication and other matters, such as allergies. You can print a medication passport yourself via MijnGezondheid.net using the Medgemak app, or you can visit the pharmacy and we will print it for you.
Which remedies do you take with you for ailments or illnesses while traveling? What shouldn't you forget if you are going on a long or long vacation? What should be in the first aid kit? Apotheek.nl offers a handy checklist for your own travel first aid kit.